Niger Delta Weekly Conflict Update: June 30 - July 06, 2024

This special edition of the weekly update highlights natural disasters in the Niger Delta with a focus on flash floods. Many communities in the Niger Delta are predisposed to recurrent flood disasters because of their low topography, especially in the coastal and riverine areas. According to data (see map above), flood disasters caused over 120 fatalities in the Niger Delta between January 2020 and April 2024. Since March 2024, several communities have been devastated by floods in the Niger Delta. In March 2024, for instance, more than 200 houses were reportedly destroyed and several residents displaced as a result of flooding caused by tidal surge in Odioma and Sangana communities in Brass local government area (LGA), Bayelsa State. In May, the Edo Sate headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was reportedly damaged by flood in Benin City, the state capital. Voter’s registration machines and vehicles were allegedly destroyed by the flood which was caused by heavy rainfall. Recently, on July 03, 2024, flood reportedly affected parts of Diobu community in Port Harcourt LGA. Rivers State.