Protecting displaced families from flood risks in Nigeria
In Dikwa, Nigeria, thousands of displaced families are hit by severe flooding each rainy season. In July 2024, heavy rainfall damaged more than 260 shelters and affected over 4,400 people. Working with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Deltares analysed how water moves through 17 camps for internally displaced persons and which drainage solutions can best reduce these risks. The models reveal the main bottlenecks, and the improvements that can make an immediate difference.
Building resilience where it’s needed most
Frequent and severe flooding continues to endanger internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northeast Nigeria, especially in Dikwa’s crowded camps. IDPs are people who have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict or disaster but remain within their own country, often living in temporary shelters with limited resources.
“I’ve seen with my own eyes how floods wash away people’s homes and hopes,” says Taiwo Ogunwumi, Flood Risk and Disaster Specialist at Deltares. “These are families who have already lost everything once due to conflict and then face disaster again when the rains come.”
Before joining Deltares, Taiwo worked for the IOM as a spatial information consultant, supporting humanitarian projects for women and children in the region. Witnessing the repeated destruction caused by floods strengthened his motivation to find practical solutions. “When I joined Deltares, I knew I wanted to contribute to projects that turn data into real protection,” he explains.
From data to decisions
In collaboration with the IOM Nigeria WASH team, Deltares developed high-resolution flood hazard models for 17 IDP camps. Using rainfall data, topographic information, and detailed local observations, the models simulate flood behaviour under three conditions:
- Without drainage infrastructure,
- With current drainage systems, and
- With proposed improved drainage layouts.
To gather reliable field data, IOM teams used KoBoToolbox, an open-source platform suited for offline data collection in remote or low-resource areas. Despite limited internet and security challenges, local staff gathered accurate, geolocated information on drainage systems, rainfall, and previous flood events; essential input for Deltares’ modelling.
“We couldn’t travel to the camps ourselves, but through local partners we could still collect the right data,” Taiwo explains. “That collaboration was crucial. It shows that even with limited resources, you can achieve accurate and meaningful results.”
Interactive tools for humanitarian planning
The results were shared via a storymap and interactive dashboard, which allow IOM staff and partners to explore flood scenarios for each camp. The dashboard visualises flood impacts under various rainfall intensities and drainage conditions, clearly demonstrating how clearing blocked drains and constructing new channels can drastically reduce flood risks.
“We’re not just modelling floods, we’re helping humanitarian decision-makers plan ahead,” says Taiwo. “These tools make it easier to prepare, allocate resources wisely, and protect the most vulnerable before the next storm hits.”
Laying the foundation for long-term resilience
The project recommends maintaining and improving existing drainage infrastructure and, where needed, relocating shelters to safer zones. Integrating flood modelling into disaster preparedness strategies can further strengthen anticipatory action and long-term resilience.
Through this collaboration, Deltares and IOM have not only provided scientific insights but also practical guidance for flood mitigation in displacement settings, showing how knowledge and compassion can work hand in hand.
“This work is deeply personal to me,” Taiwo reflects. “Every model we build is a step toward safety and dignity for people who deserve stability after years of hardship.”
