West Africa floods destroy crops worsening hunger fears Idriss Deby - Environment HEAD TOPICS

West Africa floods destroy crops worsening hunger fears

10/23/2022 7:00:00 AM

Ocheiga Enoch isn' t expecting much of a rice harvest from north-central Nigeria after floodwaters submerged his fields and those of so many other farmers this season

Idriss Deby Environment

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News4JAX

Ocheiga Enoch isn't expecting much of a rice harvest from north-central Nigeria after floodwaters submerged his fields and those of so many other farmers this season. West and Central African countries are battling deadly floods that have upended lives and livelihoods, raising fears of further disruption of food supplies in many areas battling armed conflict. Many in Benue state — known as the country's “food basket” — now find themselves in the unusual position of looking for seedlings in preparation for next year's farming season at a time when they should be harvesting the current crop.In Chad, the nation’s government this week declared a state of emergency after floods affected more than 1 million people there. Nigeria has recorded at least 600 deaths while authorities in neighboring Niger authorities say at least 192 people have died there as the result of storms, either from homes collapsing or from drowning in flood waters.The floods in West Africa are “majorly due to government negligence to environmental related issues like climate change over a period of time,” said Ibrahim Raji, a climate researcher focusing on the region. The situation “boils down to the government’s reluctance to address environmental issues," Raji added. Read more:
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Read more >> Fashion house Balenciaga says it has cut ties with Kanye WestIn recent weeks, Ye has ended his association with Gap, and Adidas has placed its sneaker deal with the rapper under review. And JPMorganChase and Ye have ended their business relationship. West College Street reopens in EnterpriseThe reopening of West College Street comes just one day after investigation determined that the fire that took out 3 businesses and a residential building was deemed accidental and to have started near the kiln in the All About Art Studio. 2 men charged with armed robbery of couple on Chicago's Near West SideTwo men are charged in connection with an armed robbery of a couple on the city's Near West Side Tuesday. Rivals.com - West Spotlight: How things stand with top uncommitted prospects Cooking class on West Side a healthy heart repastThe Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative is sponsoring an 8-week health and fitness challenge that encourages residents to live a healthy lifestyle. Balenciaga Cuts Ties With Kanye West Following His Anti-Semitic RantsParent company Kering confirmed that the French fashion house would no longer work with West. Above-average rainfall and devastating flooding have affected 5 million people this year in 19 countries across West and Central Africa, according to a new U.October 21, 2022 at 2:36 p.Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn ENTERPRISE, Ala.armed robbery of a couple on the city's Near West Side Tuesday. N. World Food Program situation report. UPDATED: October 21, 2022 at 2:39 p. (AP Photo, file) ABUJA – Ocheiga Enoch isn't expecting much of a rice harvest from north-central Nigeria after floodwaters submerged his fields and those of so many other farmers this season. Those walking through the area are advised to use the designated path, which is marked with cones and barricades, and to only cross in designated crosswalks. Many in Benue state — known as the country's “food basket” — now find themselves in the unusual position of looking for seedlings in preparation for next year's farming season at a time when they should be harvesting the current crop. PARIS — The Balenciaga fashion house has cut ties with Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, according to a news report. “The kind of suffering we are passing through now is terrible,” Enoch said of the floods, now Nigeria's worst in more than a decade after killing more than 600 people and forcing 1. Both were placed into custody and charged with two felony counts of armed robbery. 3 million to flee their homes. “Balenciaga has no longer any relationship nor any plans for future projects related to this artist,” parent company Kering told Women’s Wear Daily in response to a query Friday without elaborating. Above-average rainfall and devastating flooding have affected 5 million people this year in 19 countries across West and Central Africa, according to a new U.N. A representative for Ye also did not respond to a request for comment. World Food Program situation report. In Chad, the nation’s government this week declared a state of emergency after floods affected more than 1 million people there. The label has also had an active relationship with Kim Kardashian, Ye’s ex-wife, who has appeared in their advertising campaigns and credits her former husband with introducing her to the brand. “This catastrophe resulting from climate change is one of the most severe the region has known for years, acting as a multiplier of misery for communities already struggling to keep their heads above water,” said Chad's interim leader Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. The disaster has now worsened the fate of this Central African nation already going through a food crisis, said Mbaindangroa Djekornonde Adelph, an analyst in Chad. He has also suggested slavery was a choice and called the COVID-19 vaccine the “mark of the beast. Nigeria has recorded at least 600 deaths while authorities in neighboring Niger authorities say at least 192 people have died there as the result of storms, either from homes collapsing or from drowning in flood waters. Already the floods have led to “a major increase in cholera cases and other preventable diseases in Nigeria,” the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned in a statement on Friday, calling for more resources to scale up its response. During Paris Fashion Week, the rapper walked as a model in Balenciaga’s ready-to-wear show — what designer Gvasalia at the time called an “iconic moment. Experts point to unusual rainfalls and the failure of governments to set up early warning systems to better prepare for climate extremes. The floods in West Africa are “majorly due to government negligence to environmental related issues like climate change over a period of time,” said Ibrahim Raji, a climate researcher focusing on the region. Ye was also criticized that week for wearing a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt to his Yeezy collection show in Paris and the shirt made an appearance on the runway itself. The situation “boils down to the government’s reluctance to address environmental issues," Raji added. Long before the floods and Russia's war in Ukraine, West Africa already was facing its worst food crisis in 10 years with more than 27 million hungry people, according to a report released by international aid organizations in April. In recent weeks, Ye has ended Yeezy’s association with Gap and has told Bloomberg that he plans to cut ties with his corporate suppliers. Chi Lael, a spokeswoman for the U.N.. World Food Program in Nigeria, is concerned about the “worrying harvest season ahead.” Some farmers have lost close to 75% of everything planted this year, said Kabir Ibrahim, national president of the local farmers association. The damage caused by the floods in Nigeria also extends to livestock in areas like Bayelsa state, where Innocent Aluu said he lost nearly 10,000 fowl in his poultry farm to the floods, most of them dying from waterborne diseases. “I feel like running away — nobody can think straight,” a devastated Aluu said by phone, estimating his losses at 30 million naira ($68,600). In neighboring Niger, tens of thousands have also been displaced by the floods in the Maradi and Zinder regions, with many homes and farmlands damaged. It is a similar tale in Cameroon where flood waters have caused significant damage in the northern region, destroying crops and houses. “The rainfall this year is exceptional," said Kousoumna Libaa, a climate specialist in Cameroon. “There have been sustained rains since the beginning of the season, since August, September and even until October now, it continues to rain.” Experts fear that the damaged farmlands will further increase food prices at a time when inflation rates are already at record highs — Nigeria and Ghana at 20.7% and 37% respectively. In Nigeria, WFP said it is providing emergency assistance in the state of Yobe, one of the hardest-hit places. But the agency urgently needs $129 million to support its operations in Nigeria over the next five months, its spokeswoman said. ___ Associated Press writer Joel Kouam in Ngaoundere, Cameroon, contributed. ___ .