THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reported that the ongoing flooding situation has affected 29 states and 172 local government areas. Approximately 1,048,312 individuals have been impacted, with 625,239 displaced and 259 fatalities recorded nationwide.
In an update delivered by NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, these figures were shared yesterday during the National Emergency Coordination Forum (ECF) meeting, which aimed to assess strategies and reassign responsibilities in light of the current circumstances surrounding disaster management across the country, including ongoing search and rescue operations in Borno State.
Umar noted that while the situation in Borno State is particularly severe due to the failure of the Alau Dam’s spillway, the overall trends align with predictions outlined in this year’s Annual Flood Outlook from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
This report indicated that from July to September 2024, 33 states and 135 local governments are in high-risk flood zones, with 19 states and 44 local governments at risk between October and November.
Regarding the flooding in Maiduguri, the NEMA Director General praised Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, as well as the state government and the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, for their proactive response in managing rescue efforts and activating camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the disaster.
She added that NEMA and other agencies are actively providing interventions across the impacted states. “Our ongoing initiatives include deploying additional personnel to assist with search and rescue operations, distributing water purification and essential rescue equipment, providing food and non-food items for those affected, and facilitating the rehabilitation of displaced populations,” she said.
NEMA emphasized that the Federal Government expresses its condolences to those impacted by the floods and reassures them that necessary assistance will be provided sustainably.
“We appreciate the support of our humanitarian partners and look forward to continued collaboration among all stakeholders to alleviate the suffering of those affected and to mitigate the impact of flooding incidents throughout the country,” she concluded.
