**5.1 Destruction of houses and limited movement/access to residents**

Results indicated that about 70% of the Akili Ogidi residents' economy, social life, and health were affected by the 2020 floods. Residential houses were totally abandoned and streets deserted as the floods made movement impossible except with the use of local canoe (see **Figures 8** and **9**). During the discussion session, we found that the majority of the displaced community members have nowhere to go, and within the onset of dry seasons that begin in late November and December periods when the flood has receded, they usually return back to their homes and lands but to a devastated community. In 2012, all 16 communities in Ogbaru LGA were submerged by the flood destroying more than 100 buildings and displacing hundreds of people [24]. Similarly, in 2013, Ogbaru LGA was flooded between the months of June and August causing a displacement of about 124, 859 people [25]. In 2018, about 9000 people from 1500 household were internally displaced from their homes in Ogabru LGA, and in 2020, about 5000 persons are displaced (homeless) in September during heavy storms and flooding in Ogabru LGA [33]. People could only access their homes using canoe, though movement to closer bigger cities, such as Onitsha town, can also be accessed *via* speed boats. However, using speed boats is expensive, costing about 1500 naira per person (\$3.64 based on http://exchangerate. guru on January 3, 2022). The residents complained that it was expensive, and their income is affected by poor source of livelihood negatively affected by the flood. The situation was worsened by the fact that it was the only source of transportation during the 8-month flood season.

**Figure 8.** *Flooded streets and abandoned houses where residents have migrated.*

**Figure 9.** *More flooded houses and streets that have become unhabitable and temporarily abandoned.*

The community members fled their homes to find sanctuary with relatives and friends living on higher grounds. Some of them had to stay in public facilities such as schools and churches, designated as IDP camps though majority were stranded in their houses having nowhere to go, because of COVID-19 restrictions. The youth (female) leader reported that …

*… our situation was pathetic since majority of our people were forced to leave our homes and our properties to find shelter in public buildings used as IDP camps to stay safe from the floods.*

A woman elder said this:

*… the effect of flood was worse, because of the COVID-19. most of our relatives were nonchalant about receiving flood victims into their home, so many of our people were forced to stay and face the harsh conditions of the flood.*

Additionally, the secretary of the women group reported that for other flood episodes she relocated with her three children to nearby town—Onitsha to stay with relatives until the floods were over. However, the case was different because of the heightened awareness of spread of COVID-19 virus. She said:

*… we have experienced heavy rainfall every year, and this year, 2020 was intense. The water filled my house unlike other times the flood hardly gets into my house. I decided to remain in my house because I can't leave the only place, I have called my home. I, husband and three children battled the floods due to the COVID restrictions. We had nowhere to go".*

For our observations during field surveys, the flooding impacts were aggravated by the poor-quality houses constructed with low materials that have become weak over time (see **Figures 10** and **11**). Also, inadequate infrastructure and the absence of physical planning aided the rapid destruction of buildings during floods (see **Figure 10**). Further, the situation in the study area was worsened by the absence of drainage systems to check the flood problem.

Although the government of Anambra State provided communal shelters that were recognized as IDP camps to accommodate most of the stranded people, most *Climate-Driven Temporary Displacement of Women and Children in Anambra State, Nigeria… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.104817*

**Figure 10.**

*A collapsed fence and an abandoned house with the roof destroyed by the heavy storms.*

**Figure 11.** *Poorly developed houses, inadequate facilities, and poor living conditions of the residents.*

of them refused to relocate to these (IDPs) camps. One of the interviewees admitted that the IDP camps were over populated having inadequate mattresses, insufficient mosquito nets and food items for their upkeep, and the affected residents to remain in their flooded houses. The temporary shelters were characterized with discomfort and pain worsening their vulnerability. This was confirmed by one of community women …

*… I and most of the people had to leave the camp because there was little space, too many mosquitoes, inadequate sleeping mats and the food provisions were too little to take care of the large number of stranded people. More people keep arriving daily, many were looking tired, disappointed and exhausted from the flooded condition of their homes'.*

According to Punch [29], it confirmed that those who were accommodated in IDP camps experienced shortages of essential items, such as food, limited medical personnel, insecticide-treated bed nets needed for their daily survival, despite the increased numbers of women, pregnant mothers, and injured children.
