The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its condolences to South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe following the devastating floods that have claimed numerous lives and caused widespread destruction across parts of Southern Africa.
In a statement released on Sunday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and the extensive damage to property and infrastructure caused by the disaster.
The government acknowledged the severe humanitarian toll of the flooding, which has left many families displaced and entire communities struggling to cope with the aftermath.
The statement, signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, noted that beyond the immediate destruction, the floods have triggered additional challenges, including food shortages, heightened health risks, and increased vulnerability among women, children, and other at-risk groups.
Nigeria said it stands in solidarity with the affected countries as they carry out rescue missions, evacuations, and relief operations with the support of regional bodies and international humanitarian organisations.
The Federal government also commended the resilience shown by the governments and citizens of the affected nations as they work toward recovery and rebuilding in the face of the disaster.
Nigeria used the opportunity to draw attention to the growing frequency and intensity of climate-related extreme weather events across Africa.
It stressed the urgent need for stronger regional collaboration, improved early-warning systems, and effective climate adaptation measures to reduce the impact of such disasters.
The government further reaffirmed its commitment to working with affected countries at bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels to enhance disaster preparedness, humanitarian response, and long-term climate resilience.
It assured South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe of Nigeria’s continued goodwill and support during this challenging period, adding that the thoughts and prayers of Nigerians are with the victims and their families.
The floods have had particularly severe consequences in South Africa, where authorities on Sunday declared a national disaster following weeks of heavy rainfall.
The downpours have destroyed homes, submerged communities, and forced thousands of people to flee, with many seeking refuge across the border in neighbouring Mozambique.
Reports indicated that more than 100 people may have lost their lives across the region as of Friday, while thousands have been displaced.
Rivers have overflowed their banks, washing away roads and bridges, cutting off rural communities, and disrupting farming activities and essential services.
Weather agencies across Southern Africa have continued to issue warnings, raising fears of further flooding in the coming days.
As rescue and relief efforts continue, the scale of the disaster has underscored the growing vulnerability of the region to extreme weather linked to climate change.
