Before the flood, Hauwa Musa, like many others in the area, had very little. She did not own much, and life was a constant struggle to make ends meet. Her family barely had enough to get by. However, through her small business of producing and selling groundnut cake and groundnut oil, she was able to support her household and provide for her children’s basic needs.

When the flood hit, it worsened an already difficult situation. The flood swept away everything they had, including their clothes and household items. The children were also left without school uniforms, which severely affected their ability to attend school. In addition to losing their belongings, Hauwa also lost her business. Her stock was destroyed, and without capital to restart, she found herself unable to earn a living, making it even harder to provide for her family.

Support from OXFAM and the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA) was crucial, but it was CATAI that directly intervened to assist her by providing non-food items for relief. While this assistance has been invaluable, she still struggles with feeding her family and ensuring her children continue their education. She is in urgent need of food items to sustain her household, as well as additional scholastic materials to support her children’s education. More importantly, she hopes to receive support to restart her groundnut cake and groundnut oil business, which would allow her to regain financial stability and take care of her family once again.

Hauwa is incredibly grateful for the assistance she has received so far and extends her heartfelt gratitude to CATAI, OXFAM, and DRA for their support. This help has been the only assistance she has received since the flood, and it has given her hope as she continues to rebuild her life.

What did Oxfam do in partnership with the Community/ Government/ School etc (what was Oxfam intervention/support?)
Through the Nigeria Acute Crisis Joint Response (Floods) Project, CATAI, in partnership with OXFAM and funding from the Dutch Relief Alliance, provided essential non-food items (NFIs) to individuals and families impacted by the flood in Jere LGA, Borno State, including Hauwa. These items included cooking equipment, mats, blankets, and other necessary household items.

Describe the ‘after’ situation. What is the situation now that Oxfam has completed their activity? What is the CHANGE (even small changes are important)?
Hauwa is deeply grateful for the support she received, as it has made a remarkable difference in her family’s daily life. After the flood, they were left with nothing—no cooking utensils, no shelter, and no way to provide for themselves. The loss of essential items like cooking pots made it impossible for Hauwa to prepare meals for her children, intensifying the struggle for survival.

With the relief support from CATAI, OXFAM, and DRA, Hauwa received new cooking utensils, including pots and other essential household items. For the first time since the flood, she was able to prepare a meal for her family, which brought a sense of normalcy back to their lives. Hauwa expressed how this simple act of cooking again filled her with gratitude and hope. “At least now, I can feed my children,” she said.

Although the family still faces many challenges, including the lack of school uniforms for the children, the relief provided a crucial stepping stone. The ability to cook and care for her children in the midst of such hardship has given Hauwa a renewed sense of stability. She now feels a bit more in control of her situation and hopeful that further support will help them recover more fully.

Why did the change happen? (or not happen?) – dig deeper
The change occurred because of the timely and impactful support provided by CATAI, which directly addressed Hauwa’s immediate needs. The essential non-food items helped her and her family regain a sense of normalcy in their daily lives. Despite this progress, the absence of school uniforms remains an obstacle for the children’s education. Hauwa’s story highlights the need for continued assistance, especially in areas like education, to help children return to school and complete their studies. Hauwa remains hopeful for more support that will help her family recover fully and rebuild their lives.