Many states in Nigeria presently suffer from a prevalent destruction of life and property, due to the intense flooding that has well affected millions of people across 35 states in the country. This flood, which has submerged houses, infrastructure, crops and livestock, has disrupted the regular flow of events around the affected areas, internally displacing numerous people who are now struggling to settle in makeshift camps. A national concern, this issue of flooding has been recorded as the worst in decades, affecting over 600,000 houses and N2.6 trillion lost in revenue. Reports thus points to the flood being caused by immense rainfall and the release of excess water from the Cameroonian dam.
Kogi being one of the states immensely ravaged by the flood, properties and lives, as well as state revenues have been lost. Speaking to some of the affected residents as at the period when the floodwater began to rise, Mr. Emos and his wife averred that they were in an evident dilemma as regards leaving behind their land which they relied on for food. They noted that the experience of stepping into the flood was a traumatic one. On the accrued loses due to this flood, Mr. Emos stated that his family had lost their farmland with over 5 hectares worth of land and numerous other investments of about N500,000.
Farmlands, houses and over 90 health facilities submerged in Kogi.
The devastating effects of this flood have also affected the health status quo of most people in these affected areas. In Kogi State, most residents are striving to survive, as their farmlands, houses, and over 90 health facilities have been submerged. Numerous Kogi residents have had to reside temporarily at a seminary in the Idah area of Kogi State which houses about 178 displaced people. Another victim of the flood, John, talking about the effect of the flood stated that his wife also had a miscarriage.
On the vulnerability of this flood, numerous villages in the state have been reported to be submerged with displaced individuals in temporary facilities and primary/secondary schools being used as IDP camps. Another Mrs. Abubakar pointed that she and her family had been left with no choice but to reside in a school since their properties were submerged. She noted that they all depended on the government and its collaboration with the World Health Organization, who had been supporting them with water and medication supply. In turn, Mrs. Abubakar stated that everyone at the camp had been obeying the Infectious Prevention Control (IPC) measures like regular washing, bathing and sweeping.
Kogi State Government working to ensure a reduced impact of the flood.
In appreciation of the immense contribution of WHO, Mr. John who is now the IDP Coordinator at Idah stated that WHO has helped in the facilitation of health awareness as regards personal hygiene and sanitation. The Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Usman Zakari whilst assessing the enormity of the effect of the flood, stated that the flood had caused immense havoc, compared to the 2012 flood situation. He also appreciated the efforts of UN and WHO agencies and other contributing stakeholders for their efforts in mitigating the huge submerging effects.
Dr. Usman further disclosed that the State Government was working vigorously with partners including WHO to ensure a reduction of the impact of the flood on health services by making provisions for healthcare services at every temporary settlement in the state. WHO had also helped with the provision of leadership and coordination in the collection of baseline data as regards the number of healthcare facilities affected by the flood. Health kits are also being provided for victims of physical, emotional and psychological stress.
WHO also distribute non-food relief materials to help flood victims.
In Kogi State, WHO was said to have also distributed non-food relief materials which included hygiene and mosquito nets, 90 international emergency health kits which is estimated to treat 900,000 people against communicable diseases within three months. Dr. Sebastian Okwu, the WHO State Coordinator noted that the Rapid Response Team had been engaged with emergency responses like WASH and Data management with 10 mobile health teams being deployed to this temporary refuge. Also, management support teams had also been put in place to provide the expertise, skills and strength needed for the emergency response system.
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