International Widows Day Flood survivors – Ahoada West LGA, Rivers State Nigeria.

The world may have moved on from the 2022 flood, but for widows in Odiokwu community, Ahoada West LGA, Rivers State, the story is far from over. They endured the loss of homes and farmlands, and some became widows as their husbands perished in the floodwaters. The devastation is heartbreaking, and even now, the ongoing hunger, sickness, and trauma continue to haunt them. This is the stark reality of the climate crisis. This is why our work is crucial. These are the voices that must be heard for climate justice. Otherwise, we’re merely dressing up in suits, traveling far distances, and discussing matters we fail to grasp. If you want to understand the true depths of the climate crisis, look into the eyes of a widow who has lost everything to a flood. June 23rd marked International Widows Day, serving as a reminder to include these resilient survivors in the conversation about loss and damage. We must honor those who endured the horrors of the 2022 flood and are still grappling with its aftermath, fostering deeper and more meaningful discussions. ClimaTalk The Climate Reality Project United Nations UNAIDS European Environmental Bureau YALI Network YOUNGO EU Environment and Climate GSFN Widows and Orphans Movement (WOM) Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency UNICEF hashtag#ClimateActionNow hashtag#LINCgreenProspects