The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed its emergency response team to Kogi State following severe flooding that has submerged over 200 communities and displaced nearly two million residents.
This action aims to proactively monitor the flood situation across the country, according to a statement released by NEMA on Wednesday.
The response team consists of specialized personnel trained in search and rescue operations, offering technical support to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other stakeholders involved in rescue and evacuation efforts. The team will also conduct assessments in the affected areas to determine the extent of damage and the immediate needs of the displaced population.
NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, announced that mobile water purification units have been dispatched to provide emergency clean water to families impacted by the flooding.
NEMA had previously alerted states identified as flood-prone to brace for potential flooding. The agency had also activated all its zonal, territorial, and operations offices, prepositioning critical equipment to ensure a timely response. These resources include search and rescue equipment and evacuation tools to help relocate residents to safer, higher ground.
The states identified as being at high risk of flooding include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, and Kwara.
“With the activation and deployment, NEMA’s offices nationwide will collaborate with state agencies to set up Emergency Operation Centres for coordinating local actors in the flood response. This will include community advocacy, evacuation planning, identifying safe zones for temporary shelters, and preparing evacuation and rescue equipment,” the statement read.
NEMA is also working with the Military Disaster Response Units, Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, which has mobilized volunteers to assist in the rescue and relief efforts.
The Director General urged residents in flood-prone areas, particularly those living along the Benue and Niger rivers, to remain vigilant and cooperate with emergency responders as NEMA continues to closely monitor the situation.
In Kogi State, the most affected areas include Lokoja, Adavi, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Idah, and Ibaji. Data from NEMA shows that as of October 14, 2024, the flooding had affected 1,659 people, displaced 517, and damaged 1,601 houses across the state.
Nationally, the 2024 flood disaster has impacted 33 states, affecting 208 local government areas. According to NEMA, 317 lives have been lost, 1.27 million people affected, 713,691 displaced, 117,071 houses damaged, 2,852 injuries reported, and 180,828 farmlands destroyed.