Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Buruku Local Government Area in Nigeria lies the Tsiee community, a place once known for its tranquil existence and warm hospitality. But in recent years, a dark cloud has loomed over Tsiee, casting a pall of fear and uncertainty over its inhabitants. The once peaceful community has become a battleground disrupted by conflicts leaving a trail of destruction and despair in their wake. Terese Torkor, a resident of Tsiee, bears the grim scars of this violence. Recounting his harrowing ordeal, Terese narrates how he was ambushed by herdsmen, his fingers severed in a vicious attack. Terese’s story is not an isolated one. Countless others in Tsiee have suffered similar atrocities, their bodies bearing the marks of brutality. Homes have been reduced to ashes, farmlands ravaged, and livestock stolen, leaving the community teetering on the brink of collapse. The physical wounds inflicted by the herdsmen are compounded by the emotional trauma that has gripped the community. Fear has become a constant companion, casting a shadow over every aspect of life. The once vibrant community spirit has been replaced by a palpable sense of dread. As if the threat of violence weren’t enough, the community has also been grappling with the devastating effects of recurrent floods. The once fertile lands are now inundated, destroying crops and homes, and leaving the villagers with little means of sustenance. Terese’s voice cracks with emotion as he describes the plight of his community. “We have begged for clothes to wear, for food to eat, for a place to sleep,” he laments. “But there is no respite, no escape from the misery that engulfs us.” The story of Tsiee is a heart-wrenching reminder of the human cost of conflict and environmental degradation. It is a stark call to action, urging us to address the root causes of violence and climate change that threaten communities like Tsiee worldwide, illuminating the urgent need for sustainable solutions that protect the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable communities. Let us work together to create a world where peace and harmony prevail.

In the midst of lush fields and industrious farmers in the Iwofin community, Awoniyi Abayomi, commonly known as Apase, serves as a symbol of resilience in the face of challenges. For years, Apase has poured his heart and soul into cultivating potatoes on his 5.5-acre farm, nurturing the land with unwavering dedication. However, despite his unwavering commitment, the path to prosperity has been fraught with challenges. In the past, the cost of planting potatoes was a manageable burden. But today, the financial landscape has shifted dramatically, with expenses soaring to unprecedented heights. Where once Apase could invest less than 500,000 Naira, today’s costs have skyrocketed, casting a shadow over his farming operations. The trials extend beyond the financial realm. Apase and his fellow farmers grapple with the disheartening reality of finding buyers for their produce. Often, traders propose transporting the potatoes to Lagos before making payment, only to disappear into thin air, leaving the farmers empty-handed. Driven by a collective desire to break free from this cycle of exploitation, Apase and his fellow farmers formed a united front, establishing a farmer’s society. Their aim: to take control of their destiny, selling their potatoes independently and reclaiming their rightful share of the profits. Yet, even their combined efforts have not been immune to the whims of nature. Climate change has cast its long shadow over Iwofin, disrupting the delicate balance of the seasons. The delayed harvest, resulting from insufficient rainfall, has wreaked havoc on the growth of potatoes, extending the cultivation period by three agonizing months. Apase’s five months of unwavering care for his potato crop have been met with frustration. The once-promising plants remain stubbornly immature, delaying the much-anticipated harvest and further straining the farmers’ financial resources. As if drought and delayed harvests were not enough, the relentless onslaught of insects has added another layer of hardship to Apase’s farming endeavors. Despite employing chemicals to fend off these unwanted guests, the insects continue their destructive march, leaving behind a trail of damaged crops and ravaged seeds. The weight of these setbacks bears heavily on Apase’s shoulders, prompting him to question his future in the farming industry. The allure of alternative business ventures beckons, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the prevailing despair. Farming has been Apase’s livelihood since completing secondary school. The lack of opportunities for further education has confined him to the fields, where he has poured his heart and soul into cultivating the land. In addition to potatoes, Apase has also ventured into growing cassava, peppers, and tomatoes. Yet, each venture has been met with similar challenges, with buyers proving scarce and prices plummeting. Amidst these trials and tribulations, Apase turns to the government, seeking a lifeline to alleviate the burdens that weigh him down. A simple plea echoes through his words: assistance to facilitate the easy selling of their crops. This simple request carries the weight of survival, a beacon of hope amidst the gathering shadows of uncertainty. Apase’s story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Iwofin farmers, a community bound together by their shared struggle and their unwavering determination to overcome adversity. Their resilience serves as an inspiration, a reminder that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, the human spirit can endure and prevail.

Ilesanmi Oluwaseun is a fish farmer in Epe Community in Lagos State, Nigeria. She has taken us to the cage at the lagoon where she and others in the community farm catfish and tilapia. Ilesanmi is facing a number of challenges as follows; Security challenges: It can be difficult to monitor the fish cages in the community. She added that members of the community have been able to install CCTV cameras to help ameliorate the insecurities. High feed costs:Tilapia feed is expensive, and there are no affordable alternatives. Ilesanmi is calling for the government to subsidize fish feed, as fish farmers are also food providers for the nation. Poor drainage: The drainage in the lagoon is often clogged, which leads to dirty water and low oxygen levels. This can kill the fish. Ilesanmi is calling for the government to dredge the drainage and improve the water quality. Lack of government support:Ilesanmi is calling for the government to provide more support to fish farmers. This could include loans with low-interest rates and subsidies for feed and other inputs. Ilesanmi’s story is a reminder of the challenges that fish farmers face in Nigeria. This is a plea from Ilesanmi for the government to support fish farmers by providing loans with low-interest rates, subsidizing the fish feeds and other inputs, and investing in infrastructure such as CCTV cameras and drenching, as this will help improve the livelihoods of fish farmers and enable them to provide more food and healthy proteins for the nation. We cannot afford to ignore the challenges that fish farmers face. By supporting fish farmers, we can help build a more sustainable food system and ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food.

In the community of Cheledi located in Kirfi Local Government Area, Bauchi State resides Maryam Ladan, who shares her harrowing experience of the 2022 floods that ravaged her home and livelihood. In her words, “It all began on a fateful Thursday when the flooding started gradually,” Maryam narrates, her voice laced with sadness. “At first, we didn’t think it would be anything serious. However, to our surprise, the flood grew beyond our imagination.” The floodwaters mercilessly swept through Maryam’s village, submerging homes, farms, and everything in their path. “Eventually, our home was submerged,” Maryam recalls. “Two days later, another heavy flood struck, taking away our properties, our farm, and even the chickens belonging to people in the community.” Maryam’s husband, a farmer, was not spared from the devastation. “All his crops were submerged, resulting in a financial loss for us,” Maryam says, her voice trembling. The couple’s hopes were dashed as their means of sustenance were stolen away by the relentless flood. Despite warnings about heavy rainfall, Maryam and her fellow villagers were left to grapple with the aftermath of the disaster. “We had nowhere else to go,” Maryam laments. “All we could do was pray it wouldn’t cause any destruction.” The floods left Maryam and her community struggling to recover. “The governor visited our community and promised to provide assistance,” Maryam recalls, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes. “However, despite the assurance, nothing was done, and we received no shelter or support from anyone.” Maryam’s story is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable communities around the world. The floods of 2022 left her and her fellow villagers displaced, heartbroken, and struggling to rebuild their lives. As the world grapples with the escalating climate crisis, Maryam’s story serves as a poignant call to action, urging us to take heed of the warnings and work towards a more resilient and sustainable future.  

      Agaie community, a traditional emirate in Niger States lies at the intersection of roads from Bida and Lapai. The community is a market centre where farm products such as rice, millet, cotton, groundnuts, etc. are traded. Jonathan Saidu, a seasoned farmer in the community stood on his once fertile farmland, now a desolate expanse of barren earth. In his narration, he mentioned that the heavy floods of the past season had wreaked havoc, sweeping away his crops and leaving behind a trail of destruction. Despair gnawed at his heart as he gazed upon the withered remains of his livelihood. Jonathan had always prided himself in his ability to nurture the land and reap bountiful harvests. For years, he had tirelessly worked his fields, providing sustenance for his family and the wider community. However, in recent years, the once-predictable rhythm of the seasons has been disrupted by the relentless grip of climate change. Rainfall patterns had become erratic, alternating between devastating floods and prolonged droughts. The once vibrant soil, now parched and cracked, struggled to support even the hardiest of crops. The recent floods had been particularly harsh, inundating his fields for weeks, leaving behind a thick layer of sediment that choked the life out of the soil. The livestock, once grazing peacefully, had been scattered, some lost to the floodwaters, others struggling to survive on the meagre scraps of remaining vegetation. Jonathan’s heart sank as he surveyed the damage. His crops, the fruits of months of labor, lay ruined, and their potential yield lost to the whims of a changing climate. The once-promising harvest, the lifeblood of his family’s livelihood, had vanished, leaving behind an empty void. The burden of loss weighed heavily on Jonathan’s shoulders. He was not alone in his plight. Many other farmers in Agaie Local Government faced similar challenges, their livelihoods threatened by the unpredictable forces of nature. The community, once self-sufficient in food production, now teetered on the brink of hunger. Despite the overwhelming despair, a flicker of hope remained within Jonathan’s heart. He believed that the government, with its resources and expertise, could step in and offer a lifeline to the struggling farmers. He envisioned irrigation systems that would defy droughts, drought-resistant crops that would thrive in harsh conditions, and financial assistance to help farmers rebuild their shattered livelihoods. With renewed determination, Jonathan joined forces with his fellow farmers, their voices united in a plea for help. They petitioned the government, their voices echoing the desperation of a community on the brink. Their message was clear: climate change had brought them to their knees, but their spirits remained unbroken. They sought not handouts, but opportunities to adapt, to reclaim their role as the guardians of the land. They yearned for knowledge, tools, and the means to navigate the ever-changing climate and continue to nurture the land that had sustained their families for generations. As Jonathan stood amidst the ruins of his once-thriving farm, he envisioned a future where the land would once again yield its bounty. A future where farmers, empowered by knowledge and support, would stand resilient against the challenges of climate change, their hands once again nurturing the land that sustained their community.

Elizabeth Kukighir, a resident of Abuwa, has been battling annual floods that have devastated her rice farm and left her struggling to provide for her family of more than ten. “I lost everything,” she said, her voice heavy with despair. “My rice, my cassava, my corn – everything was gone.” The floods, which have become increasingly frequent in recent years, have left Elizabeth and her family with no means of sustenance. “We have no way of catering for ourselves,” she explained. Despite the repeated losses, Elizabeth and her fellow villagers have been left to fend for themselves. “There is no one to help us,” she said. “No one comes to our aid.” With each flood, the struggle for survival becomes even more difficult. Elizabeth and her family are forced to navigate the treacherous floodwaters to reach their remaining crops. “We enter the mud waters and cross to the other parts,” she said. The journey is not without its hazards. “We get hurt with splinters and other things,” Elizabeth said, her face etched with worry. Elizabeth’s story is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of climate change on communities around the world. As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events increase, so does the vulnerability of those who depend on the land for their livelihoods. The government has a responsibility to support communities like Abuwa in the face of these challenges. By investing in flood control measures and providing assistance to those affected by floods, the government can help alleviate the suffering of those who are most vulnerable.

The community of Gidan Madi, is a testament to human resilience against the relentless forces of nature. However, beneath its tranquil façade lies a stark reality – a community teetering on the brink of imbalance. Auwalu Musa, a lifelong resident of Gidan Madi, has witnessed first-hand the community’s battle against the annual floods that have become an unwelcome companion. “The flooding has been a constant threat,” he shares, voice tinged with a mix of defiance. In 2022, the floods reached unprecedented heights, unleashing a torrent of destruction that left no stone unturned. Homes were engulfed, livelihoods washed away, and dreams shattered. Musa’s home, once a haven of warmth and laughter, was reduced to a desolate ruin, its foundations submerged beneath the churning waters. “The flood of 2022 was a nightmare,” Musa recalls, his eyes clouded with the memory of that catastrophic night. “It felt like the very earth beneath our feet was crumbling.” The aftermath of the flood has been a relentless struggle for survival. Homes lie in ruins, crops are destroyed, and the community’s spirit is broken. The once vibrant Gidan Madi is now a shadow of itself, its inhabitants grappling with the harsh realities of displacement and despair. “…the community has not experienced such a flood in sixty years. We are desperate for help, “We need the government to step in, to provide us with the resources and support we need to rebuild our lives.” Musa seeks that the government mobilises resources and expertise to help them rise from the ashes of disaster and reclaim their rightful place in society. This story is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of communities in the face of climate change. The intensifying weather patterns, exacerbated by human actions, are creating an environment that is increasingly hostile to human habitation. The international community has a moral obligation to stand in solidarity with those affected by natural disasters, provide emergency relief, and invest in long-term adaptation strategies, helping communities build resilience and adapt to the changing climate.