At this time in 2017, several countries in the world are currently being ravaged by unavoidable catastrophes that have left hundreds dead altogether and thousands more displaced. In Nigeria’s Benue state, over 110,000 were forced out of their homes in nearly twenty five communities in the state, after a 72-hour torrential downpour that resulted in heavy floods.

The Hurricane Irma that has ripped through the Carribeans and Florida over the last few days is the first Category 5 hurricane to hit the Bahamas since 1992. Although it has now reduced to a tropical storm, nearly 40 have died in its wake. About 12 million residents across Florida are currently experiencing a power outage that could last for weeks.

Before Irma came Harvey. The category 4 hurricane made landfall in Texas, Houston on August 25 and became the first to hit the US after Hurricane Wilma in 2005. Texas saw a year’s worth of rainfall in a span of only 5 days and over 17,000 residents were forced into shelters in its aftermath.

Less reported but more damaging is the Magnitude 8.1 earthquake that has killed 96 people in Mexico. Last Thursday, the quake tore through the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas and other parts of Mexico destroying more than 16,000 homes.

Back in Nigeria, there has been a call for “humanitarian intervention” in Kogi state where thousands of homes have been destroyed by flash floods in the capital, Lokoja and other parts.

 

Rescue efforts in Mexico