CJID, Premium Times release documentary on impacts of flooding in Nigeria

The Journalism Innovation and Development Center and PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday released a documentary showing the “losses and damage” from the recent flood disaster in Nigeria.

At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) being held in Egypt, one of the main agenda items that the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) is presenting at the negotiating table, which includes Nigeria, is “loss and damage”, emphasizing economic compensation for affected nations.

This, they say, will help compensate African countries that contribute less than 3 percent to global emissions, improving adaptation and mitigation efforts to tackle the continent’s persistent scourge of climate change.

For example, in 2022, Nigeria experienced one of the worst flood disasters ever. More than 26 of the country’s 36 states were affected by floods, killing hundreds of citizens and destroying their homes. At the same time, large hectares of agricultural land were destroyed, and roads and bridges were washed away.

The fury of this nature was believed to have been exacerbated by the existential consequences of climate change and lack of government attention, as fears persist over the escalation of food insecurity that fueled the humanitarian tragedies.

Funded by the London Center for Investigative Journalism the documentary Floods in Nigeria’s worst affected states (Kogi, Delta, Bayelsa and Adamawa) highlight the needless destruction of livelihoods, homes and farmland, and some of the victims recount their plight.

The initiative is one of the many interventions made by the center regarding the recent floods in Nigeria.

At the height of the disaster, CJID and PREMIUM TIMES deployed a team of investigative journalists to investigate the various losses and damages in 10 states of Nigeria.

Seven of the field reports published so far have shown the impact of the flood on businesses. industry, textile, food and gas – education, agriculture, the most vulnerable people in IDP camps as well women and children

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According to the Minister of Humanitarian, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, more than 603 people have died in this year’s flood across the country.

Also, more than 82,053 houses have been completely destroyed, and more than 1.4 million people have been left homeless and more than 2,407 people have been injured during this period.

Ongoing COP27 negotiations

At the last moment, shortly before the start of COP27 in Egypt, and after the official announcement that Sameh Shoukry was the new president of COP27, “losses and damages” were included in the agenda items during the opening proceedings of the annual conference.

ALSO READ: Needs of developing countries must be considered in climate action plans — COP27 president

Prior to COP27, the topic (losses and damages) was still uncertain, but it was finally put on the agenda after negotiators (including developing countries) presented it after strong discussions among the 194 parties to the UNFCCC.

During the plenary session, the COP27 president said that this year’s deliberations on climate issues must take into account the needs of developing countries (Africa), which are the least responsible for emissions and the most affected by the global impact of climate change.

“As a COP organized in Africa, it must take into account the needs of developing countries and ensure climate justice through adequate financing and other means of implementation, since the countries least responsible for emissions are the most affected by climate change.” said Mr. Shoukry.

Dozens of African and other developing countries are calling for commitments on loss and damage at this year’s summit.