- Safiu Kehinde
No fewer than 259 victims have reportedly died with 625,239 internally displaced by flood across 29 states, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) records.
This was disclosed by the Agency’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, in a statement on her X handle on Thursday.
The NEMA DG made this disclosure following the National Emergency Coordination Forum (ECF) meeting held yesterday with the aim of reviewing strategies and reassigning responsibilities in the face of current realities in the pattern and management of disasters nationwide including Borno State.
According to Zubaida, 1,048,312 people are affected by the flood across 29 states and 172 Local Government Areas; 625,239 have been displaced, and 259 deaths recorded unfortunately.
Meanwhile, the NEMA boss stated that the disaster, with the exception of the Alau Dam Spill in Borno state, was just as predicted by the 2024 Annual Flood Outlook.
Zubaida, however commended Borno state government for their swift response to the disaster which broke out earlier this week.
Recall NPO Reports, on Tuesday, the outbreak of the flood which ravaged Maiduguri rendering several people homeless and destroying public infrastructures including a correctional facility and Maiduguri zoo.
Meanwhile, Zubaida’s statement read in part; “We reconvened today for a National Emergency Coordination Forum (ECF) meeting to review strategies and reassign responsibilities in the face of current realities in the pattern and management of disasters nationwide including Borno State where a Search and Rescue operation is ongoing.
“The current trend of flooding indicates that 29 States and 172 LGAs have been impacted; 1,048,312 people are affected; 625,239 displaced, and 259 deaths recorded unfortunately.
“However, with the exception of the severity of the incident in Borno State due to the broken spillway of the Alau Dam, the trend does not indicate a total deviation from the predictions as contained in this year’s Annual Flood Outlook released by NIHSA which informed that in the months of July to September, 2024, 33 States and 135 LGAs are within flood high-risk areas. For the period between October and November 19, states and 44 LGAs have been indicated.
“We commend the Governor of Borno State, the government, and the Borno State Emergency Management for rising to the occasion and spearheading the response, rescue and the activation of IDP camps for affected persons.
“Our ongoing intervention across the affected states include deployment of additional personnel to support Search and Rescue operations; distribution of water purification and critical search and Rescue equipment; provision of food and non-food items to support the affected persons and the rehabilitation of displaced populations.
“Through our agency, @nemanigeria, the Federal Government commiserates with those that have been affected by the flood disaster and assures them that necessary succour will sustainably be provided.
“We appreciate the support of our humanitarian partners and look forward to the sustained collaborative efforts of all stakeholders to ameliorate the suffering of affected people and also mitigate the impact of the flooding incidents across the country.”