Four prominent International non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs); ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), CARE International, Plan International Nigeria and Christian Aid Nigeria, have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare an immediate state of emergency in the flood ravaged parts of the country.
They made the call in Abuja at a media briefing, where they also urged the federal government to seek corporate organisation and international assistance as the fall-out of the flooding is more than what the government may be aware of.
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The leaders of the INGOs, Ene Obi, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria; Dr. Hussaini Abdu, Country Director CARE International; Usie Charles Emmamuzou, Country Director Plan International Nigeria and Tope Fashola, Country Director Christian Aid, said that government must take emergency measures to safeguard the lives of Nigerians and prevent imminent food crisis in the country.
“We (organisations listed) have observed the increasing flood ravaging many parts of the country, particularly Kogi State where 160 communities are submerged underwater because Niger and Benue rivers broke their banks from shedding of excess water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
“In a statement released on 11th October 2022, Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, said flooding in the country has now affected the lives of 1.4 million people and displaced 790,254. Over 600 deaths have also been recorded across the country.”
They added that with 31 states and the FCT affected by the flood, it was time for government at all levels to explore sustainable ways to curb the perennial flooding that some states are increasingly experiencing during the rainy season.
