Two Children Swept Away by Flood in Katsina as Residents Demand Urgent Safety Measures
Two brothers have been swept away and drowned in Katsina have generated new worries about the safety of children in communities at risk of environmental hazards during the rainy season.
The two children were reportedly on their way back from Islamiyya school in Janbago community when torrential rain swept through the area, causing the floodwaters to engulf parts of the community. Residents conducted a search and their bodies were recovered.
The incident has brought to the fore the need for child protection to go beyond violence and abuse; child safety is also impacted by environmental risk, unsafe infrastructure and poor emergency preparedness.
Children and families are vulnerable to recurring flooding in Janbago because of poor drainage and erosion, residents said, which has been a problem for years. The community has been calling for immediate action, such as better drainage systems and flood control measures.
The parents of the children said that the loss was devastating and urged the authorities to take action to improve the situation that puts children’s lives at risk.
Child protection advocates stress the need for a multi-sector approach, by government, communities, schools and families, to establish safe environments for children.
Safer routes to school, early warning systems and climate resilient infrastructure can help to prevent avoidable tragedy and keep children safe in emergencies.
