Safe Water for Displaced Kids in Northern, Nigeria

In Ortese, Guma LGA, the effects of climate change are no longer distant threats—they are everyday realities. Increasingly erratic rains and frequent flooding are contaminating the community’s only sources of water: local streams. As a result, families are forced to drink water that is unsafe, fueling outbreaks of diarrhea and cholera that put everyone, especially children, at severe risk.

UNICEF has drawn clear links between heavy rains, flooding, and the transmission of waterborne diseases like cholera in Nigeria. The numbers are alarming: by June 2025, Nigeria had recorded 3,109 suspected cholera cases, with the onset of the rainy season expected to worsen the situation even further. In Benue, 51% of internally displaced person (IDP) households rely on unsafe streams or shallow wells for their daily water needs, exposing them to continual health hazards (sources: news.un.org, unicef.org).

This crisis requires a climate-resilient solution. Our plan is to install boreholes and filtration systems in Ortese that are specifically designed to withstand floods and unpredictable weather. We will also implement regular water quality testing and deliver hygiene education to empower the community to protect itself from future climate shocks. These steps are crucial for building long-term resilience and safeguarding the health of Ortese’s children.

For donors who care about climate adaptation and health, Ortese is ground zero for impact. By supporting this initiative, you are helping to break the link between climate disasters and preventable disease—ensuring that children have access to safe water, no matter how the climate changes.

Support clean water for Ortese today and protect the next generation from climate-driven disease.