ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has revealed the devastating impact of the extensive flooding that swept across the nation in 2023, resulting in the loss of 45 lives and displacing 171,545 individuals.
Dapo Akingbade, a representative of the agency, made this revelation during a monthly meeting of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene in the Emergency Working Group held in Abuja on Tuesday.
As of 7 October, the floods had wreaked havoc in 13 states, leading to partial damage to 22,666 households and the complete destruction of 5,358 homes.
In addition, 9,179 hectares of farmland were partially destroyed, while 8,754 hectares of farmland lay in ruins.
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Akingbade explained that NEMA had initiated a comprehensive assessment of the flood situation in Adamawa, with the activation of an emergency operation center to coordinate response efforts.
He emphasized, “The flooding in Adamawa has had a profound impact on many people and communities. During the EOC meeting, we recommended that all states activate their flood response plans.
“We are also eagerly awaiting a detailed needs assessment report from Adamawa to determine the specific areas where our assistance should be focused.”
Highlighting the importance of preparedness in the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector, the NEMA official stressed that a collective effort was essential to alleviate the repercussions of emergencies throughout the country.