Aminat Yahaya —
The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Mohammed Goje, yesterday in Damaturu, the state capital, said flood has affected over 31,000 families across 255 communities in 17 local government areas.
“Gujba Mutai, Kukuwa Tasha, Buni Gari and Buni yadi, Gulani, Jakusko, Tarmuwa, Geidam and Bade witnessed the worst in nearly half a century,” he said.
Goje added that 75 fatalities had been reported as a direct consequent of windstorms and floods with many more lives at risk across 10 area councils from May to date.
“Including 11 due to boat mishaps, over 200 sustained injuries and were treated and discharged free.”
He said those in flood-prone areas and along waterways had been the hardest hit by the floods.
Goje also said a total of 6,592 people have been internally displaced across the affected communities.
“This does not include Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) returnee communities who are just returning and have limited access to farmlands,” he said.
He pointed out that preliminary reports and desk review indicate that, so far, 92 water points and lots of WASH facilities, agricultural products and livestock were also affected.
He said the agency had successfully relocated some victims in worse hit communities to approved public places and safe host neighbouring communities.
“SEMA has provided and distributed first line food basket to some of the affected population.
“We invited all resident humanitarian and development partners to plan for medium and long-term responses and recovery using the state humanitarian coordination platform to mobilise resources for effective multi-sectoral disaster responses,” Goje said.
