The federal government has reported that, across the country, more than 13,000 Nigerians have benefited from various flood relief efforts in affected states.
The Permanent Secretary for the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr. Nasir Gwarzo, announced this on Tuesday.
He was speaking at a meeting with relevant stakeholders in the humanitarian services in Abuja.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria report, the stakeholders include the Nigerian Red Cross, the World Food Programme, and ECOWAS Commission. The 2020 flood disaster in the country affected 16 states, and 13,000 victims have benefitted from the flood relief interventions.
The report states,
“These states include Anambra, Bayelsa, Katsina, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Bauchi, Delta, Rivers, Adamawa and Yobe. This is in addition to the implementation of stabilization fund project in six local government areas in North-East and North-West where 27, 432 persons benefited”.
He expressed the federal government’s commitment to providing the needed support to vulnerable persons in Nigeria. He said:
“Food, shelter, households, water sanitation as well as cash was provided across the 16 flood-affected states,”
Gwarzo said that the impact of the flood disaster necessitated collaboration with relevant humanitarian agencies to support government response towards assisting the victims.
According to him, the 2020 flood disaster has resulted in the loss of lives and livelihoods of Nigerians across the country.
“The socio-economic impact of the 2020 flood was very devastating. It resulted in the loss of lives and livelihoods in communities across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria. In addition, he said that the persistent conflict concomitant with the frequent insurgent attacks also resulted in the displacement of hundreds of people”.
Therefore, he commended the various national and international NGOs and other government agencies for their support in providing assistance to Nigerians in times of need.
Speakers at the event took turns to express their commitment to supporting government efforts in addressing the humanitarian situations of vulnerable Nigerians.
cc: Punch Ng
