In response to the devastating floods that recently swept through parts of Niger State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and IHS Nigeria have launched a major emergency relief effort to support more than 30,000 displaced residents in Mokwa Local Government Area.
Triggered by torrential rains on May 29, the floods ravaged five communities—Tiffin Maza, Ungwan Hausawa, Yagbagba, Ndayeko, and Wubegi—resulting in over 153 fatalities, thousands displaced, and more than 500 people still unaccounted for. The disaster also destroyed more than 10,000 hectares of farmland, severely impacting local food security.
Among the most vulnerable are an estimated 1,600 children and nearly 800 pregnant and lactating women now living in dire conditions without access to clean water, healthcare, or education.
To address these urgent needs, IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited, has committed an emergency grant to support UNICEF’s rapid response in the affected areas. The partnership will deliver vital services including clean water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and child protection.
Key elements of the intervention include the construction of three solar-powered boreholes, the installation of ventilated improved pit latrines, and the renovation and solarisation of a primary healthcare centre—steps aimed at restoring essential services and preserving the dignity of affected families.
UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, hailed the support from IHS Nigeria as both timely and life-saving.
“This emergency support from IHS Nigeria comes at a critical time when thousands of children and families are facing enormous hardship,” said Munduate. “Our partnership with IHS Nigeria has consistently focused on reaching the most vulnerable, and this renewed effort ensures that no child in Mokwa is left behind.”
As the global cluster lead for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Nutrition, Education, and Child Protection, UNICEF has already deployed a range of integrated interventions, including clean drinking water, emergency toilets, therapeutic nutrition for malnourished children, psychosocial support, and temporary learning and child-friendly spaces.
IHS Nigeria CEO, Mr. Mohamad Darwish, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to building resilient communities.
“At IHS Nigeria, we believe communities should not only survive disasters but emerge stronger,” Darwish said. “Our ongoing partnership with UNICEF has proven effective in delivering sustainable impact. Through this latest collaboration in Mokwa, we are helping restore access to water, healthcare, and dignity for families who need it most.”
The Mokwa initiative adds to a growing portfolio of joint projects between IHS Nigeria and UNICEF, which have included efforts to improve maternal and child health, enhance school infrastructure, and support underserved communities through long-term development.
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UNICEF concluded by stressing the urgent need for climate resilience strategies in Nigeria, especially in flood-prone regions where weak infrastructure and limited public services continue to put lives at risk.
