Unseen Ripples: Africa’s Floods and Global Food Security

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This week, Boundless Discovery turns its focus to the floods currently sweeping across western and central Africa. Over a thousand lives have been lost and millions are displaced: the immediate humanitarian toll is immense.

In our commitment to building Boundless Discovery in public, this week we provide not only a comprehensive breakdown of reported events but also integrate non-news context data for deeper insights. Through this new approach, we examine how the flooding could significantly impact global supply chains. With key farmlands submerged, there is a looming threat to global food security. This disaster may trigger ripple effects throughout supply chains, influencing food availability and prices worldwide.

You can view the comprehensive event map by clicking the link below:

THE STORY SIMPLIFIED

THE TRIGGER EVENT: FLOODS

Over the West and Central Africa are experiencing the worst floods they have faced in three decades, affecting millions across multiple countries.

• Over 4.4 million people impacted, with Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Mali, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo hit hardest.

• Other affected countries include Liberia, Central African Republic, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Benin, Sudan, and Burkina Faso.

• Climate change is widely blamed for intensifying the floods.

THE DEATH TOLL

The human cost is significant, with thousands of lives lost.

• More than 1,000 people have died across Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Mali, Cameroon, and Guinea.

• 24 people have also died from flooding in Côte d’Ivoire and 97 in Sudan.

MASS DISPLACEMENT

Mass displacement has left millions without homes.

• 2.9 million people were displaced in Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Guinea.

• Hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed, causing widespread homelessness.

INFRASTRUCTURE BREAKDOWN

Vital infrastructure across the region has collapsed, worsening the crisis.

• Transportation has become extremely challenging—for example, short canoe rides have been reported to cost $50, approximately the same as the average monthly salary.

• Destruction of dams and dikes has worsened flooding in some areas.

• Healthcare systems are failing; hospitals are rationing generator power for essential treatments.

• In Nigeria, 270+ inmates escaped from prison after walls collapsed.

• Schools have been shut down throughout the region.

GROWING HUNGER CRISIS

Flooding is exacerbating an existing hunger crisis in the region.

• The UN warns that 55 million people were already at risk of hunger before the floods.

• Over a million hectares of farmland have been destroyed.

• In Chad, more than 60,000 livestock animals were swept away in floods.

GOVERNMENT AND HUMANITARIAN AID

Governments and aid organizations have mobilized, but challenges remain.

• The World Food Program is providing emergency food and cash to over 1-million people.

• The WHO is working to combat cholera and malaria outbreaks, delivering vital medical kits.

• Mali has declared a national emergency to boost food supplies; Nigeria has set up a Disaster Relief Fund.

• At least 10 aid organizations have suspended operations due to security concerns (see our previous analysis on West Africa here for more context).

GLOBAL EXPOSURE TO WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

The intense flooding in West and Central Africa has devastated key farmlands, raising critical questions about the global food supply. These regions play a significant role in producing several essential crops. Are these crops resilient to flooding, and how might this impact global food supply chains? Using non-news data, we’ve gained insights into the potential consequences for global agriculture. The data sources are from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Our World in Data, and the World Population Review.

Key Crop Contributions from Affected Countries:

• Cocoa: 40.1% of global production

• Cassava: 37.5% of global production

• Millet: 30.88% of global production

• Sorghum: 29.26% of global production

• Cotton: 4% of global production

• Palm Oil: 3.13% of global production

• Rice: 2.11% of global production

• Coffee: 1.08% of global production

Crop Resilience to Flooding:

• Low Resilience: Cocoa, millet, cotton, and coffee struggle significantly in flooded conditions, with water-logging causing severe damage and yield losses.

• Moderate Resilience: Cassava, sorghum, and palm oil can tolerate short-term flooding, but prolonged exposure still hampers growth and productivity.

• High Resilience: Rice thrives in flooded environments and is well-suited to withstand extensive water exposure.

The most flood-sensitive and globally concentrated crops produced in region are Cocoa and Millet.

Due to limited reporting on detailed production location statistics in the region, the full extent of how much each crop's total production has been affected remains unclear.

The floods in West and Central Africa have caused significant destruction, displacing millions and destroying vital agricultural lands. The region is continuing to struggle with a humanitarian crisis, and faces potential long-term issues with food security that could expand beyond just West and Central Africa.

At Boundless Discovery, we go beyond headlines by using technology to create clear, data-driven visuals that break down complex issues while remaining accurate. As a subscriber, you now have a well-rounded understanding of these events, but there’s always more to uncover. If you value in-depth analysis presented in a way that’s easy to digest, be sure to stay with us and share Boundless Discovery with others who want clarity in a chaotic world.