Flood Situation in Nigeria: Over One Million Affected, Seven Deaths Reported

In Nigeria, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reported that 1.048 million people have been affected by flooding between April and September 2024. According to Director-General Zubaida Umar, the devastating disaster has caused widespread displacement, resulting in 625,239 individuals being forced to leave their homes. Unfortunately, 259 lives have been lost, with seven deaths reported in Borno as of Saturday.

The flood crisis has been particularly severe, impacting 29 states and 172 local government areas, with a significant portion of those affected being forced into Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps. To support search and rescue operations, NEMA has deployed additional staff, activated IDP camps in some states, and provided water purification equipment and critical search and rescue tools to affected states.

While recognizing that flooding cannot be fully prevented, NEMA emphasizes the need for a coordinated response to the disaster, with the agency’s efforts focused on mitigating the impact of the flood and providing necessary support to those affected. The Federal Government, through NEMA, has committed to providing critical assistance to those affected by the disaster.

The government has appreciated the support received from international partners and continues to urge them to continue providing assistance while monitoring the situation. Emmanuela Offiong, Assistant Director of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, has also stressed the importance of proper fact-checking and communication on disaster management to avoid disinformation and misinformation.

As the country works to respond to and recover from this disaster, it is essential that everyone involved – from the Nigerian government to international partners and the affected communities themselves – works together to provide much-needed support and resources.