Maiduguri flood: United Nations announces $6m support to victims

The humanitarian situation in Borno, Nigeria, has worsened following the collapse of the Alau Dam on September 10, displacing hundreds of thousands from their homes. In response, Mohammed Fall, the humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, announced $6 million from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund to support flood victims.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric reported that a joint mission, including UN agencies and the Nigeria Red Cross, visited Maiduguri, where many displaced individuals have faced multiple displacements due to ongoing conflict. Dujarric highlighted the provision of hot meals, air drops of food, trucking water, and sanitation services to prevent disease outbreaks. For more information about UN click here https://www.un.org/en/

Emmanuel Bigenimana, head of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Maiduguri, described the devastating impact of flooding, with homes, infrastructure, and schools submerged. He noted that over 200,000 to 300,000 people are overcrowded in IDP camps and on the streets. The WFP has established soup kitchens in three camps to provide nutritious meals to the most affected.

The flooding has damaged more than 125,000 hectares of farmland, worsening the food insecurity crisis that affects 32 million people across Nigeria. The UN estimates that $147.9 million is needed to assist food-insecure populations in the northeast. Bigenimana emphasized the need for more resources to address both immediate needs and long-term recovery solutions. For more stories like this, click here.