Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Deby on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in the central African country over flooding that has affected more than a million people, reported The France 24.
In a televised address, President Deby said the floods, caused by heavy rains in the south and central areas, have hit 18 of the country’s 23 provinces and affected more than a million people. He added that no one had yet died.
Chad’s president said more than 465,000 hectares of fields and 19,000 heads of livestock have submerged in flood water so far.
“A state of emergency will be instituted to better contain and manage this natural disaster situation,” Deby announced.
He said the flooding has affected 636 localities in 18 out of 23 provinces in the country. The worst affected are the southern provinces of Mayo Kebbi Est, Logone Occidental, Tandjile, Moyen Chari and Mandoul. Hundreds of people have fled their homes in in Chad’s capital city, N’Djamena, due to flooding in the last few days.
Deby said the government has put in place a response plan to provide shelter, food and sanitation.
Chad is the world’s third poorest country, according to the benchmark of the UN’s Human Development Index. Floods are common during Chad’s rainy season, which usually runs from May to October in its southern regions. However this year the rains came early and were the heaviest in decades.
The United Nations claims that about 5.5 million people in Chad are in need of emergency humanitarian aid, while the World Bank says 42 percent of the 16 million population live in poverty.
“We have to provide shelter, basic necessities and health protection,” Chad’s president said.
He urged friendly and neighboring countries and institutions and technical and financial partners to support the government’s efforts.
The 38-year-old military general took the helm in April 2021 after his father and long-time ruler, Idriss Deby Itno was killed during an operation against rebels.
