In September 2024, a flash flood that resulted from the failure of the Alau dam in Konduga Local Government
Area (LGA), rendered at least 400,000 individuals homeless in Borno state.[1] Maiduguri and Jere were among the
most affected LGAs with about 240,000 individuals affected across the two LGAs within the first 48 hours of the
flood.[2] Following this, Ngala LGA experienced an overflow of the river Yadzaram which coupled with the collapse
of the Alau dam in Konduga led to flooding in Ngala and Diwka.[3] The floods have had far reaching multi-sectoral
implications that threatened to roll back the gains achieved by humanitarian and development efforts in Borno
state, over the last decade, more so, it compounded already existing inequalities, obstructed supply chain
thereby limiting access to lifesaving assistance, worsened health, hygiene and sanitation gaps, and increased
vulnerabilities and negative coping strategies.[3]
In response to this emergency, CARE Nigeria received funding from the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA), the Gates
Foundation and CARE’s Humanitarian Surge Fund (HSF) to implement emergency protection, food security and
nutrition intervention, WASH support and prevention and response to gender based violence, in Maiduguri, Jere
and Ngala LGAs. Funding from DRA was planned to support vulnerable communities in Maiduguri and Ngala while
the HSF and Gates Foundation funding was planned to reach flood affected communities in Jere LGA. These
responses were designed and are being guided by CARE Nigeria Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) reviewed in
2024.
As is the case with all our interventions, gender and protection remain central. We understand that in crisis
situations gender gaps widen and gender-based violence become pervasive. On this response, CARE has carefully
designed a gender and protection mainstreaming approach that utilizes evidence to ensure the adequate
integration of appropriate gender and protection activities that will reduce vulnerability, sustain our impact and
lead to more transformed communities who are better equipped to be resilient and self-sustaining. To do this,
CARE commissioned a gender, protection and safety risk assessment to inform on vulnerabilities, risks and gaps,
and with that, proffer tailored messages and activities that seek to address the issues identified