The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed its emergency response team to Kogi State following the flooding of several communities across the state.
With over 200 communities submerged in the flood, and nearly two million people displaced as a result of the flooding, NEMA emphasised that the deployment of its response team is part of efforts to proactively monitor the flood situation nationwide.
In a press statement released on the agency’s ‘X’ social media handle on Wednesday, it highlighted the most affected local government areas to include Lokoja, Kogi, Adavi, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Idah, and Ibaji. The team includes specialists in search and rescue operations, tasked with providing technical support to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency and other stakeholders involved in rescue, evacuation, and assessment efforts in the affected areas.
According to NEMA’s Director General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, the agency has also deployed mobile water purification units to supply clean water to families impacted by the disaster.
It will be recalled that NEMA had earlier alerted states identified as flood-prone to prepare for potential emergencies. It also announced the activation of NEMA’s zonal, territorial, and operations offices, and prepositioned critical equipment to ensure timely search and rescue operations, as well as the evacuation of affected persons to safer locations.
The states identified to be at high risk of flooding include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, and Kwara.
Data from NEMA official database, as of 14 October, 2024, shows that 1,659 people have been affected, 517 displaced, and 1,601 houses damaged in Kogi State alone. Nationwide, it is a sum of 33 states and 208 local government areas have been impacted by the floods this year, with 317 lives lost, 1,279,094 people affected, 713,691 displaced, and 117,071 houses damaged.
Additionally, 2,852 people have sustained injuries, and 180,828 hectares of farmland have been affected.
“With the activation and deployment, NEMA offices across the country, alongside technical officers, will collaborate with relevant State Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to set up Emergency Operation Centres for coordination and mobilization of local actors in response efforts,” the statement noted.
These efforts, NEMA explained, will involve community advocacy, evacuation planning, identifying safe high grounds for temporary shelters, and positioning equipment for evacuation and rescue operations. Additionally, sector leads have been alerted to address the priority needs of displaced persons, particularly in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and other safe locations.
NEMA also informed that it is coordinating with the Military Disaster Response Units, Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society to ensure the availability of necessary personnel, including Police Marine units and disaster management operatives.
“The Director General of NEMA urges residents of flood-prone areas, particularly communities along the Benue and Niger rivers, to remain vigilant and cooperate with emergency responders as the agency continues to monitor the situation closely,” the statement concluded.
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