Flood: Agency hands over donated materials to affected States

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has handed over relief materials donated to the Nigerian Government in aid to States affected by flooding and other disasters.

Director General, NEMA, Zubaida Umar who performed the symbolic handing over at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria said donation were made by the United Arab Emirates, UAE, and the Bank of Industry in Nigeria.

The NEMA Boss said the gesture is a manifestation of the deep sympathy for people severely impacted by disasters and on the other hand, a long standing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the UAE.

According to her, the gestures further entrenches the essence of multi-stakeholder and multi-national approach to disaster management in global perspective.

” As you may recall, BOI donated about 18,779 bags of 10kg rice to NEMA. The rice was shared to six (6) States to assist internally displaced persons in IDP Camps in those States. 

She emphasized that the selection of the beneficiary States was based on the number of IDPs in the state, the urgency and severity of needs of the affected persons.

“The States are Imo- 3,500 bags, Benue- 3,000 bags, Plateau- 1,669 bags, Jigawa-3,000 bags, Katsina- 3, 850 bags, Zamfara- 3,634 bags” She said

Mrs Umar further explained that the UAE donated 1,696 cartons of 20 assorted food items, making it a complete food basket.

” Like in the case of the BOI rice, the UAE donation was shared to 10 States considered highly impacted by the 2024 flood, the urgency and severity of needs of the affected persons. The beneficiary States are: Borno-256 cartons, Bauchi -160 cartons, Sokoto- 160 cartons, Adamawa-160 cartons, Kano – 160 cartons, Bayelsa-160 cartons, Ondo-160, Abia-160 cartons, Rivers-160 cartons and Enugu-160 cartons”. 

” As we all know, flooding is one of the most reoccurring disasters in Nigeria. This year alone, over 180 LGAs across the country have been impacted by flooding, affecting over one million persons, with over 600,000 persons displaced and over 280 deaths”. She restated

She added that as Governments at various levels try to mitigate the impact of disasters in all ramifications, the donations by both BOI and the Government UAE have come at the right time and will go a long way in complementing the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria in providing succour to persons affected by flood and other disasters across the country.

The Director General, NEMA commended the donors on behalf of the Nigerian Government, urging the beneficiary states to ensure judicious and transparent distribution to the affected persons to mitigate their sufferings.

The Senior Special Assistant on Liaison to the Borno State Government, Adams Abatcha who received the relief materials on behalf of the State Government said the gesture was a very important aspect of humanity.

” This is how humanity is expected to be, like one family. That’s why God made us tribes, Nations and countries. Whenever one part is in trouble,the others should come in for them”. Abatcha noted.

He hoped that the affected persons will find the donated items as a source of relief and succour.