By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has donated relief materials to victims of flood in Borno State.
The relief items which are in two batches, were donated by President Muhammadu Buhari as federal government’s support, released from the National Strategic Reserve Stock, and the other from NEMA, with support from Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD).
Handing over the materials to Governor Babagana Zulum at the Zonal office of the agency by the Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Usman Muhammed Aji in attendance at Maiduguri warehouse on Thursday, the Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed explained that the donation was sequel to an approval given by President Muhammadu Buhari for vulnerable persons and persons effected by flood in the state.
He said it was also in line with the assessment conducted and reports to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development as well as the approval by the President for the release of 12,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains from the National Strategic Reserve Stock for distribution to all states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Represented by a Director of the agency, Alhaji Mohammed Kanar, the Director General noted that, “several states in the country, Borno inclusive, have suffered series of flood, including other natural and human induced disasters.
“We are here in Borno to on behalf of the Director General, NEMA commiserate with the good people and Government of Borno State over the unfortunate flood disaster that has ravaged some parts of the state.
“The 2022 Annual Flood outlook (AFO) forecasted that 233 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory are within highly probable flood risk areas, while 212 LGAs in 35 states of the federation are within moderately probable flood risk areas.
“Already the agency is inundated with reports of flood disaster in more than 450 local government areas from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT and still counting, causing colossal loss of lives, livelihood, properties and infrastructures.
“Your Excellency, what we witnessed in Borno State and indeed in other states of the federation so far, should spur us to concrete and deliberate action that lead to substantial reduction of flood disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and environmental assets and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural of persons, businesses and
communities, in line with the global aspiration as contained in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
“To be able to achieve these, we need to: Have a better understanding of Flood disaster risk, by looking deeply into the previous flood disasters, Strengthen the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and establish Local Government Emergency Management Committees to manage disaster risk.
“Additionally, we have to Listen and take full advantage of early warning alerts from National Metrological Service Agency (NiMET) & National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Ensure that new infrastructure does not introduce new risk, and also have the political will to invest in disaster risk reduction activities through adequate budget appropriations in lieu to the National Flood Response Plan that was recently approved by the Federal Government.” The DG said.
He further explained that ” the Federal Government through NEMA cannot compensate the traumatic experiences of persons affected by disaster impacts, yet we have to help people alleviate their sufferings, with these, Federal Government approved relief
items to ameliorate the suffering of the affected persons.
“Therefore, the Federal Government has approved the delivery of the listed materials to Borno state which include; 1,000 bags of 10kg Rice, 1,000 bags of 10kg Beans and 1,000 bags of 10kg Maize.
“Other items are 75 bags of Salt (20kg), 75 kegs of Vegetable Oil(20ltrs), 150 Cartons of seasoning cubes (magi/knorr) and 75 Cartons of tin tomatoes (50 sachet).
“This is in addition to 7,350 pieces of nylon mats, 1,000 pieces of mosquito nets (treated), 600 Cartons of bath soap, 2,500 pieces of guinea brocade (5 yards), 1,000 pieces of children’s wear(new), 1,000 pieces of women’s wear(new) 1,000 pieces of men’s wear(new).
“Let me use this opportunity to acknowledge the effort of the Borno State Government under the able leadership of His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Mni CON for providing the first line of support to the affected population”. The NEMA Boss stated.
Receiving the relief items, Governor Zulum who was represented by the Director General, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Hajiya Yabawa Kolo appreciated the gesture, as according to her, the relief items came at the right time when the state government is working assiduously to better the plight of flood victims across the state.
Kolo stressed that over 37,000 households and 67,000 farmlands were affected by the flood disaster across many communities in the state.
She assured that the items would be distributed judiciously to beneficiaries in order to cushion their immediate economic hardship.
