The Nigeria gully erosion crisis has been ongoing since before 1980, and affects communities large and small. It is an ecological, environmental, economic, and humanitarian disaster resulting in land degradation, loss of lives, and properties worth millions of dollars. The estimated number of gullies in the country is at 3,000. Gullies and areas exposed to erosion in Southeastern Nigeria tripled from about 1.33% (1,021 km2) in 1976 to about 3.7% (2,820 km2) in 2006 making the region the most affected region in the country.