Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reports 259 flood-related deaths and over 625,000 displacements from April to September 2024. The agency emphasizes its commitment to providing support and mitigating flood impacts as 29 states are affected. Urgent measures include activating IDP camps and deploying rescue resources.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that floods have claimed the lives of 259 individuals in Nigeria from April to September 2024. This alarming statistic was revealed by NEMA's Director-General, Zubaida Umar, during the national emergency coordination forum held in Abuja on September 13.
Umar highlighted that a staggering 625,239 people have been displaced due to the flooding, with a total of 1,048,312 individuals affected across 29 states and 172 local government areas. In her address, she extended condolences to the victims and assured that the federal government is committed to providing essential support to those impacted.
The forum's primary goal was to discuss the current flood situation and allocate responsibilities among stakeholders. Umar acknowledged that while flooding cannot be entirely avoided, proactive measures are being taken to alleviate its consequences. She mentioned that NEMA has activated Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in various states and has deployed additional personnel to assist in search and rescue operations.
Furthermore, NEMA has supplied water purification equipment and essential search and rescue tools to the affected areas. Umar expressed gratitude to international partners for their ongoing support and urged them to continue their assistance in these challenging times. The agency’s efforts underscore the need for collaboration in addressing the growing challenges posed by natural disasters in Nigeria.
