- Elumelu To Chair Disaster Relief Fund Committee, Utsev Technical Committee To Assess Dams
- US Expresses Deep Concerns, Offers Support
Following the recent devastating flooding catastrophe that rocked Borno State and other parts of the country, there is heightened concerns regarding the safety and well-being of displaced persons in the region and beyond.
The Matrix recalls that the devastating floods left over 300,000 people temporarily displaced, with many of them registered across 30 relocation sites following evacuations from flood-affected areas in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Jere, and Konduga local government areas (LGAs).
This disaster was triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam on the night of September 9, leading to widespread destruction in MMC and Jere. The situation remains critical, with many areas still inaccessible due to ongoing flooding.
Essential infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and markets, has been severely impacted, and the number of displaced people is expected to rise as more information becomes available.
In response to this monumental crisis, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Monday, September 23, 2024 approved the creation of a Disaster Relief Fund, a vital initiative aimed at ensuring rapid and efficient responses to disaster victims nationwide.
FEC’s approval follows an announcement made by President Bola Tinubu regarding the establishment of the fund to assist Nigerians affected by floods and other disasters across the country.
The Matrix further reports the President first hinted at the establishment of the fund during his visit to Borno State on Monday, September 16, 2024, where he met with the government and people of the state to express his sympathies over the recent flooding caused by the Alau Dam collapse.
The president emphasized that the Disaster Relief Fund would enable timely relief and recovery efforts nationwide, streamlining support for communities affected by various emergencies such as floods, fires, and other natural disasters.
READ ALSO: President Tinubu Presides FEC Meeting
To bring this initiative to fruition, the Federal Executive Council has accepted the establishment of the fund and called for a swift response from the committee appointed to lead the efforts.
Furthermore, President Tinubu approved the appointment of billionaire businnes mogul, Tony Elumelu as Chairman of the National Disaster Fund.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, stated that the fund would source finances from the three tiers of government as well as private sector players to assist flood victims.
Additionally, the council has constituted a Technical Committee to reassess the dams across the country, with particular attention to the Alau Dam in Maiduguri. This committee is to be chaired by the Minister of Water Resources, Professor Joseph Utsev, along with other appointed members.
Meanwhile, the United States government in a show of camaraderie has expressed deep concern and offered its condolences over the devastating floods affecting Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State, which have resulted in loss of life, property destruction, and the displacement of many families.
This was contained in a statement released on Monday by the US government.
READ ALSO: Borno Flood: FG Disinfects Land, Water, Agric Produce With 100 Drums Of Chlorine
The statement reads in part, “In response to the current flooding, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), on behalf of the U.S. government, is providing assistance to the affected victims through UN agencies and our implementing partners
“We extend our condolences to the victims, their families, and all those impacted by this disaster.
“Through the World Food Program (WFP), USAID is providing hot meal rations in four camps hosting internally displaced persons and has reached more than 67,000 individuals in the past few days.
“The WFP also is providing emergency nutrition assistance to pregnant and lactating women, including children under five years old.
“The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is using an initial $3 million in USAID funding to address flood needs across the country. To further address urgent needs, USAID is supporting the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) in conducting food airlifts to inaccessible areas in Borno and Maiduguri city.
“Other USAID-funded partners, including international and local NGOs, are repurposing existing funds to provide critical assistance to individuals affected by the flooding in Maiduguri and neighboring Jere Local Government Area (LGA).
“We commend the bravery and resilience of the people of Maiduguri and the tireless efforts of first responders, aid workers, and local authorities who are on the ground delivering essential services. Our thoughts remain with the people of Borno during this challenging time”.
In a related development, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has disclosed that over 70 percent of Maiduguri has been submerged by the fast-moving waters, displacing over a million residents and resulting in 30 casualties.
The scale of this disaster underscores the urgent need for coordinated relief efforts and long-term strategies to mitigate the impact of such catastrophes in the future.
