Connect with us

News

Nigeria: UN releases additional US$ 5 million to ramp up flood response in Bauchi, Borno and Sokoto states

Published

on

Nigeria: UN releases additional US$ 5 million to ramp up flood response in Bauchi, Borno and Sokoto states

By: Our Reporter

The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has released US$5 million to scale up the flood response and address critical needs in three of the most flood affected states in Nigeria – Borno and Bauchi in the north-east, and Sokoto in the north-west.

The announcement follows the increasing impact of floods on people’s lives, livelihoods, and food security across Nigeria at the peak of the rainy season. More than 300 people have lost their lives. At least 1.2 million people are affected in 31 states, according to Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA). Thousands of hectares of cropland have been damaged ahead of harvests.

“Floods across Nigeria have created a crisis within a crisis,” United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, said. “Millions of people were already facing critical levels of food insecurity before the floods because of economic hardships that have made it exceedingly difficult for the most vulnerable to feed themselves and their families. The floods have compounded people’s suffering.”

As of mid-September, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that crop losses due to floods in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states were equivalent to an amount of food that could feed 1.4 million people for six months. Nationwide crop losses could feed 8.5 million people for six months. To mitigate the flood impact, there is a need for extended lean season support and a scale up of emergency agriculture activities, where possible.

The CERF funds will help humanitarian partners reach 280,000 people in Borno, Bauchi and Sokoto states with food, clean water, sanitation, and shelter support. The funds will also help to rapidly mobilise resources to bolster access to healthcare, including efforts to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera. The response will include the use of multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA) and cash for work programmes to help affected people earn an income.

The funding will also enhance protection services, including support to women and girls and services for gender-based violence (GBV), as well as support to people living with disabilities.

“This CERF allocation is a much-needed boost to the joint efforts of humanitarian partners in Nigeria in support of the Government-led response. However, the CERF funds and the previous allocation from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) are insufficient to meet the scale of needs. What is required right now is the immediate mobilisation of additional resources by donors, development partners and the private sector as the emergency response transitions to the recovery phase in some affected areas.”

The CERF funds complement a $6 million allocation from the NHF for the BAY states, where more than half a million people have been affected by floods. In addition to the flood impact, the BAY states are experiencing cholera outbreaks that have claimed dozens of lives at the height of a food security and malnutrition crisis that is projected to affect five million people through October. The NHF funds and resources from the US funded Rapid Response Fund, managed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), are supporting interventions in water and sanitation hygiene, shelter, and non-food items as well as MPCA in Borno. Other ongoing UN assistance includes food and nutrition assistance, emergency healthcare (including mass cholera vaccination campaigns and sexual and reproductive health services), emergency shelter and family tracing and reunification.

In Borno, which is the State most impacted by flooding, more than 400,000 people, many of them vulnerable internally displaced persons (IDPs) were displaced at the peak of flash flooding in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere local government areas (LGAs). A section of the Alau Dam collapsed in the middle of the night on 9 September forcing people to flee their homes with few if any belongings. This was in addition to displacement due to torrential rains and windstorms starting in August that affected tens of thousands of IDP shelters.

While the flooding has receded in MMC and Jere, there is an urgent need for protection services and sustained lifesaving assistance especially food, and clean water, and sanitation support amid cholera outbreaks for people who remain in emergency shelters. Recovery and livelihood support especially for farming households are required for those returning to their homes. Many areas experiencing ongoing flooding, such as Dikwa LGA in Borno, also need an immediate emergency response.

Nigeria: UN releases additional US$ 5 million to ramp up flood response in Bauchi, Borno and Sokoto states

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Maiduguri: Zulum assesses roads, bridges destroyed by flood

Published

on

Maiduguri: Zulum assesses roads, bridges destroyed by flood

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday, conducted an assessment of some vital infrastructure including roads, bridges and hospitals damaged by the flood disaster that struck Maiduguri Metropolis and the surrounding local government areas.

The devastating September 10 flood, described as the worst seen in Maiduguri in over three decades, has caused damages, isolated communities and hindered the movement of essential goods.

The governor’s assessment includes visits to key areas such as Gwange maternity, road networks and Fori, Moro-Moro and Gwange bridges.

Zulum, while lamenting the destruction caused by the flooding pointed out that the houses built on the river banks obstructed the passage of water from river Ngada.

He said, “the quantum of the destruction was enormous, you can see we had just visited one place. It is very unfortunate that some people choose to build houses right inside the waterways which obstructed the water passage. Otherwise, the water could have passed onto the lowland without affecting the main city.Maiduguri: Zulum assesses roads, bridges destroyed by flood

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday, conducted an assessment of some vital infrastructure including roads, bridges and hospitals damaged by the flood disaster that struck Maiduguri Metropolis and the surrounding local government areas.

The devastating September 10 flood, described as the worst seen in Maiduguri in over three decades, has caused damages, isolated communities and hindered the movement of essential goods.

The governor’s assessment includes visits to key areas such as Gwange maternity, road networks and Fori, Moro-Moro and Gwange bridges.

Zulum, while lamenting the destruction caused by the flooding pointed out that the houses built on the river banks obstructed the passage of water from river Ngada.

He said, “the quantum of the destruction was enormous, you can see we had just visited one place. It is very unfortunate that some people choose to build houses right inside the waterways which obstructed the water passage. Otherwise, the water could have passed onto the lowland without affecting the main city.

Maiduguri: Zulum assesses roads, bridges destroyed by flood

Continue Reading

News

Borno Flood: Zulum Presents N61 billion Supplementary Budget for Reconstruction

Published

on

Borno Flood: Zulum Presents N61 billion Supplementary Budget for Reconstruction

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, in order to begin reconstruction of damage infrastructure as a result of devastating flood which submerged over half of the capital city, Maiduguri and its environs, has requested the State House of Assembly for an additional N61 billion to the initial N358.7 billion total budget size which was signed into law on January 10, 2024.

The governor’s request was read on the floor of the State Assembly by the Speaker of the House, Abdulkarim Lawan, seeking to amend the 2024 appropriation act.

The additional funding would specifically target key infrastructures that were severely damaged by the September 10 flood which affected nearly 2 million people and completely submerged parts of Maiduguri and surrounding local government areas.

In addition to the reconstruction of key infrastructure, the supplementary budget would also cover the funding of other government expenditures such as emergency relief and humanitarian aid, support to farmers, economic recovery as well as environmental management.

Zulum on Thursday conducted the assessment of the destroyed bridges, road networks and hospitals to ascertain the extent of damage. He noted that the devastation from the flood was massive.

Meanwhile, Borno State House of Assembly has extended sympathy and condolences to the flood victims. The house also commended individuals, local and international organisations, state governments, medical personnel, and security agencies for their contributions in ameliorating the plight of affected persons.

Borno Flood: Zulum Presents N61 billion Supplementary Budget for Reconstruction

Continue Reading

News

Taraba Government House Renamed to Honor T.Y. Danjuma’s Contributions

Published

on

Taraba Government House Renamed to Honor T.Y. Danjuma’s Contributions

The Taraba State Government on Friday officially renamed the Taraba Government House to “T.Y. Danjuma House” in recognition of Gen. T.Y. Danjuma’s significant contributions to the state’s development.

Deputy Governor Alhaji Aminu Alkali, who also chaired the renaming committee, stated that the honor reflects the state’s appreciation for Danjuma’s vital role in both nation-building and the growth of Taraba. “This renaming recognizes his tireless efforts and serves as a token of gratitude for his enduring impact on the state,” Alkali said.

At the inauguration of the remodeled government house, Danjuma expressed his gratitude, calling the gesture a motivation to continue fostering development in Taraba. He urged for unity among Taraba citizens, regardless of political, ethnic, or religious differences, to support Governor Kefas’ administration.

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights