UNITED NATIONS, Sep 13 (IPS) – The Alau Dam in Maiduguri, Borno State, collapsed on Monday, triggering flooding in neighbouring regions of Nigeria. This came after weeks of torrential rains, which caused severe structural damage to the dam. The floods have devastated the lives of thousands of people and caused extensive damage to infrastructure. The impact of the recent floods comes on top of Nigeria’s existing humanitarian crisis, which includes armed conflict, widespread malnutrition and a failing economy.
Ali Ndume, a representative of Borno South, stressed the severity of the devastation, saying: “Houses, institutions, government offices and other businesses have been submerged by the flood. Many people are trapped and trying to evacuate. I fear the situation will get worse unless the federal government intervenes immediately to help the state government salvage the situation.”
According to reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), about 40 percent of Maiduguri has been flooded by high water, affecting more than 240,000 people. Water damage has led to the collapse of several critical infrastructures in Nigeria, including bridges, roads, electricity systems, health facilities and schools.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) area coordinator, Surajo Garba, told reporters that about 23,000 homes were flooded.
The current death toll from the floods is unknown as authorities struggle to remove people trapped in buildings. Ezekiel Manzo, spokesman for NEMA, estimates that at least 30 civilians have died.
Ali Abatcha Don Best, the general manager of Sanda Kyarimi Zoo, told reporters that 80 percent of the zoo’s animals have been killed by the floods. He added that several dangerous animals, such as crocodiles and snakes, have been washed into human settlements, and urged citizens to remain vigilant.
In addition, high waters have significantly damaged agricultural lands, approximately 110,000 hectares, according to NEMA, greatly exacerbating the already existing hunger crisis in Nigeria.
“Some flood-affected areas in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states are facing a food and nutrition crisis affecting 4.8 million people and endangering the lives of 230,000 children due to acute malnutrition,” Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the Secretary-General, said at a United Nations (UN) press conference on Wednesday.
The impact on Nigeria’s economy has been substantial. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), agriculture contributes to about 22.35 percent of Nigeria’s gross domestic product and employs more than 70 percent of all Nigerians.
The impact of the floods comes on top of ongoing hostilities in Nigeria caused by the Boko Haram insurgency, which has left around 35,000 people dead and more than 2.6 million displaced.
Yobe State, a neighboring district of Borno, has been devastated by severe flooding and a deadly terrorist attack in two weeks. Dungus Abdulkarim, spokesman for Yobe police, said that in early September, about 50 extremists entered Yobe on motorbikes, opened fire on markets and houses before setting them alight, killing at least 100 people. Many villagers are still missing.
Reprisals for armed conflict in northeastern districts are widespread. These flood-ravaged areas are particularly vulnerable. Police are stretched thin and must deal with an influx of people in need. Protection is a serious concern, as many children and people with disabilities have been left unaccompanied.
The UN, the World Food Programme (WFP) and other associated humanitarian organisations have been on the frontlines of this disaster, providing aid and food. It is vital that donors contribute financially to relief efforts, as the $927 million Humanitarian Response Plan for Nigeria is only 46 percent funded.
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All rights reservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service