Flood Disaster: NEMA Raises Alarm As 826, 403 People Affected, Over N12 Billion Required

By CLEMENT NWOJI, Abuja

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has raised alarm over the devastating effects of the river flooding, disclosing that 826, 403 people were already affected with over N12,136,954,359.60 needed to battle the flood effects.

NEMA disclosed these in its third situation overview report just released on Thursday, giving statistics that 12 states affected, four states are declared under National Disaster, while eight states are under red alert and 87 Local government areas already affected.

It said further breakdown showed that 176,299 Internally Displaced Persons, 109,820 living with family, friends, 1,036 People injured, 199 Deaths, 17,816 houses destroyed or damaged, 150,285 hectares
Agricultural land destroyed/damaged, and 321 Road and Bridge destroyed/Damaged.

NEMA however, regretted that though N12,136,954,359.60 Fund is required to confront the devastating situation, but only N3 Billion had been released by the federal government, remaining a balance of N9,136,954,359.60 Unmet

It said: “Since late August, heavy rains across Nigeria have caused large-scale flooding that has already impacted 826,403 people. However, numbers are expected to rise further as assessments are still ongoing in some states.

“In total, 87 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across 10 states have been affected by severe flooding while data is still being collated in 2 other states.

“On 17 September, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) declared a national disaster in the four worst-affected States (Anambra, Delta, Kogi and Niger) and is leading the overall national response. Five National and Territorial Emergency Operating Centers (EOCs) have been activated, each covering between two and three states, to facilitate the response and collect information on critical gaps and needs.

“The EOCs are providing reports daily on the situation in the different states. NEMA will continue to update this report as the situation evolves and assessments continue in the field.”

On its priorities in the affected areas, NEMA said: “Across all affected states, shelter, food, medicines, and NFIs (mosquito nets, mats, hygiene kits, family kits) remain priority needs. Responders are still requesting for speed boats to reach flooded areas and GPS for mapping.”