Borno flooding: WHO steps in as state govt opens relief account, Dangote donates N2bn

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has promised to assist the Borno State Government as impact of the recent flood disaster in Maiduguri begins to manifest, with about 500,000 rendered homeless, over 30 persons confirmed dead and fear of epidemic rises.
Vice President Kashim Shettima also says additional relief is underway for victims and states severely affected by flood and insecurity across Nigeria. .
President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Friday, announced the donation of N2 billion to assist those affected by the devastating flood in Borno.
Apart from loss of lives and displacement of families, the recent flooding has also caused collosal damage to vital infrastructure.
In the face the daunting humanitarian crisis, the state government has called on all individuals and groups to contribute to its newly created flood relief account.
The account details are given as follows: Name: BORNO ST. FLOOD DISASTER RELIEFBank: Zenith Bank Account Number: 1313556361.

Governor of Borno Babagana Zulum had said in a statewide broadcast on the flood disaster, “In the past few days, we have witnessed devastating floods in a way that many of us have never experienced before.
“Streets, homes, offices and businesses have been submerged, and unquantifiable property have been lost. Countless lives have now been turned upside down.
“The impact of this disaster has been profound, and is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that we face in our environment.”
He also said, “The magnitude of the destruction from this devastating flood cannot yet be quantified until the water has receded and on-the-spot assessments have been conducted.
“Borno has always been known for its resilience and we need to strongly rely on this to rebound from this disaster.
“Our recovery process will require collective innovative thinking and commitment to rebuild lost infrastructure, and homes.
“Government is open to constructive ideas from everyone on how we can fortify our state against future disasters.”

Speaking during an assessment tour of the situation on Friday in Maiduguri, WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo, lamented the impact of the flood, adding that about 14 health facilities have been cut off by the flood while some laboratories were also affected.
Mulombo was quoted in a report as saying the communities needed help and that WHO would help the state government to manage the unprecedented crisis.
He said, “The sudden flooding has displaced many communities from their homes. We were shocked about what happened.
“We came to see first-hand and find out what the needs are to support the state and the federal government to address the sudden challenge. Climate change is real, we are seeing the devastation.”

VP Shettima said the federal and state governments, alongside the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), were actively working to enhance support for displaced communities.
He said on Friday that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remained focused on effective governance and the welfare of all Nigerians beyond political considerations.
He spoke during an assessment visit to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Gwada, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
He said, “We are here at the instance of President Bola Tinubu to give the commitment of the Federal Government to supporting the people of Niger State towards addressing the food challenges caused by the flood and the insecurity that has been bedevilling this part of the country.
“We have come to reaffirm the President’s irrevocable commitment towards ameliorating the sufferings of our people.
“This is a symbolic gesture to assure the government and people of Niger State that the President is poised to assist all states of the federation towards addressing these challenges.”
The Vice President recalled that the Federal Government had already disbursed ₦3 billion to each state to address flooding issues.
He, however, emphasised that it was just the beginning of a more comprehensive support plan, saying “this is just a tip of the iceberg as far as some states like Borno, Niger, Sokoto, Bayelsa and Jigawa are concerned.”
He explained that states’ eligibility to receive additional federal government support will be evidence- driven and based on detailed assessment of needs.“We will do our assessment and we will be very scientific in our approach. All states that deserve to be supported will be fully supported because governance is about the people,” Shettima said.
He also spoke on the concerns of the IDPs, stressing that returning them to their communities was a priority.
“We are here and we will support our people. It’s not about politics; it’s about governance and improving the living conditions of our people,” he said.
Dangote on his part said the Presidential Committee on Flood and Disaster, which he chairs, committed N1 billion, the Dangote Foundation would donate an additional N1 billion.
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, stressed the need for more support to overcome the flooding of Maiduguri and its environs.
He stated that recovering from such a disaster could not be the government’s responsibility alone and that it required the collective effort of all stakeholders.
Owing to this, the state government has established a dedicated relief fund that can provide urgent assistance to those affected by the incident.The government aims to mobilise support from citizens, organisations, and international partners to alleviate the suffering of flood victims and facilitate their recovery.

Dangote said, “We have a Presidential Committee on Flood and Disaster which I chair. They have already committed about N1 billion, and the Aliko Dangote Foundation will also give another N1 billion. We will give this two billion as early as this coming week.”

He also solicited the support of other cooperating Nigerians to come to the assistance of Borno State Government to address the destruction caused by the flood of Maiduguri and its environs.

He added, “It’s mind-boggling; it is disastrous. I have never seen this kind of overwhelming disaster. I think it is going to be a herculean task in a couple of days and even weeks for this situation to go back to normal.
“Most of the houses would not survive because they had been submerged and the foundations have weakened.

“I am calling on all cooperating Nigerians to rise and support because the government cannot do it alone.
“We need to help make sure that people do not continue to suffer. Some of them have been in their houses for the last three days. It has touched my heart to see how people suffered.
“We would continue to mobilise other funds and resources to see what we can do to alleviate the suffering of our people.”
He was accompanied by the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr Abdullahi Sule.
Also, Gombe State Government have identified with the government and people of Borno State over the flooding.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who was represented by a delegation led by the deputy governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, presented a donation of N100 million as assistance to the victims of the incident, praying to God that such a devastating incident never reoccur in history of Borno State.
A press statement issued by the Director-General (Press Affairs), Ismaila Uba Misilli, gave the details on Friday.

Also, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, commiserated with Zulum, the people of Borno State and the families of victims of the severe flooding

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, has called for national support for victims of the flood disaster.
In a statement signed by its Deputy Secretary-General, Prof. Salisu Shehu, the NSCIA, described the flood as a “devastating tragedy” that has caused immense suffering to the people of Borno State.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has ordered its medical team to commence a sustained free medical outreach to assist residents of Maiduguri affected by the flood disaster as part of its efforts to provide relief for victims of the crisis.

A statement by Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, said the free medical outreach, which was launched on 11 September 11, 2024 in Maiduguri, followed the directives of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, for NAF units in Maiduguri to offer medical assistance and essential relief materials to the affected population.

Ali said the NAF’s outreach is designed to address the urgent needs of the survivors, by providing essential medical care, food, water, and relief materials.
The beneficiaries of the outreach, he said, are thus receiving free medical consultations, medications, and the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.
He said families in need are receiving food and water supplies, stressing that among the notable cases.