From Paul Orude, Bauchi
No fewer than 85,000 people have been displaced by floods in Bauchi State in 2024.
The worst hit are six Local Government Areas of Gamawa, Giade, Zaki, Kirfi, Jama’are, and Katagum
This was disclosed by the President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, during the presentation of relief materials to victims in Bauchi, which took place at the Government House in Bauchi.
The gesture was carried out by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Flood Response Project, which provided relief materials worth $200,000 to over 1000 victims of the disaster in the State.
The initiative was carried out by the ECOWAS Flood Response Project in collaboration with the federal government and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
Presenting a goodwill message during the distribution of relief materials to the victims, Adeaga disclosed that the 2024 flooding displaced 85,000 people in the state.
Adeaga said the flood in the year under review disrupted 14,000 households and left many struggling with loss and uncertainty.
He called for improved drainage systems, early warning signals, planting of trees, and climate change adaptation strategies to prevent future occurrences.
Adeaga also admonished all stakeholders to take collective responsibility for disaster resilience and management.
Speaking at the occasion, which was the grand finale of the distribution ceremony, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the ECOWAS, Ambassador Musa Sani Nuhu, explained that the gesture was to support recovery efforts.
He said the exercise would provide immediate assistance to affected communities through provision of relief materials and cash to victims
Nuhu, who was represented by Dr. Victory Jaja, expressed regret that the flood incident in the state led to the loss of lives, destruction of properties, and displacement of several residents and prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.
In his remarks, the President of ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu explained that the relief distribution targeted six of the hardest-hit Local Government Areas: Gamawa, Giade, Gadiya, Zaki, Kirfi, Jama’are, and Katagum with the beneficiaries receiving N75,000 each with food and non food items.
Aleu who was represented by the the Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs Dr. Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, pledged the Commission’s continuous commitment to addressing humanitarian challenges in member states.
He assured that they would support recovery efforts at the grassroots level disclosing that Bauchi was one of the states worst hit in the 2024 floods disaster with significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
He highlighted efforts made to mobilize international assistance for the affected communities in the country through the advocacy of Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to ECOWAS.
He said the support included food items, non-food items, and financial aid aimed at addressing the immediate needs of flood survivors.
In his remarks, the President, Ecowas commission, Omar Alieu TOURAY explained that the relief distribution targeted six of the hardest-hit Local Government Areas: Gamawa, Giade, Gadiya, Zaki, Kirfi, Jama’are, and Katagum with the beneficiaries receiving N75,000 each with food and non food items.
Represented by the Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs Dr. Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, the President highlighted ECOWAS’s commitment to addressing humanitarian challenges in member states and supporting recovery efforts across rural communities
Speaking at the event, Governor Bala Mohammed, disclosed that 34 people lost their lives in the disaster which displaced thousands and led to loss of property worth millions of naira
Mohammed, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government Aminu Hammayo, disclosed that the state government had also provided additional support to 150 households to address the growing needs of flood victims.
He said the distribution of palliatives was a step towards alleviating the hardship of flood victims and commended the efforts of the Federal Government, ECOWAS Poverty Reduction and ECOWAS Commission for this kind gesture.
Source: Daily Sun
