The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed that a staggering 1,048,312 people have been impacted by severe flooding in Nigeria between April and September 2024.
This information was shared by NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, during the National Emergency Coordination Forum (ECF) held in Abuja, as reported by NAN. According to Mrs. Umar, the disaster has displaced around 625,239 individuals and tragically resulted in 259 deaths.
Expressing her condolences to the affected communities, Umar reassured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to providing necessary support through NEMA. She stated, “The primary purpose of the meeting was to review the current flood situation, assign responsibilities to stakeholders, and discuss our response strategy.”
She also noted that while it’s impossible to fully prevent flooding, the agency is taking active measures to reduce its effects: “While it is impossible to completely prevent flooding, we are actively working to mitigate its impacts.”
The flood has ravaged 29 states and 172 local government areas. In response, NEMA has activated Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in several states and increased staff presence to assist with search and rescue efforts. “We have also provided water purification equipment and essential search and rescue tools to the affected regions,” Umar added.
Support from International Partners
NEMA has received support from international partners, and Umar encouraged continued collaboration and vigilance. Despite the gravity of the situation, she assured that the Nigerian government is effectively managing the crisis.
Assistant Director of Search and Rescue, Wagami Madu, gave an update indicating that seven people had lost their lives in Borno as of Saturday. Madu also addressed the challenges in Maiduguri, highlighting the shortage of materials and sanitation facilities due to the high volume of displaced individuals in the camps.
Mrs. Emmanuela Offiong, Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, stressed the importance of clear communication to prevent the spread of misinformation during disasters.
Flood Damage Across Gombe State
As the broader flooding crisis continues across the country, the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) reported significant damage between August 12 and August 22. Over 2,517 homes and shops were either fully or partially destroyed in 33 communities, with 10 communities affected in Dukku, 20 in Funakaye, and three in Billiri.
Additionally, NEMA reported that recent floods have devastated 27 states, destroying up to 16,488 hectares of farmland and damaging over 32,000 homes. Around 227,000 people have been impacted, and NEMA is currently working alongside state governments to provide relief materials and aid to affected communities.
The agency also plans to enhance public awareness by organizing workshops on solid waste management and drainage maintenance as part of efforts to prevent further flooding.
