The flood situation in Nigeria continues to be an overwhelming disaster and has taken its toll on the citizens of the country, recent reports from the United Nations International Children Emergency Funds (UNICEF) disclosed that 2.5 million Nigerians have been affected by flooding, with children constituting about 60% of them.
The recent flood happenings have affected 34 out of the 36 states in Nigeria while 1.3 million Nigerians have forcefully left their homes due to the disaster with over 600 deaths recorded.
UNICEF stated that flood-affected states have high chances of contracting diarrhea, waterborne diseases, respiratory infections, and skin diseases. Meanwhile, in the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe there are already 7,485 cases of cholera and 319 associated deaths.
According to Christian Munduate the UNICEF representative in Nigeria, children, and adolescents in flood-affected areas are highly vulnerable and at risk of diseases and Psychological distress, he said, UNICEF is doing all it can to provide lifesaving assistance.
“Children and adolescents in flood-affected areas are in an extremely vulnerable situation, they are particularly at risk of waterborne diseases and emotional and psychological distress. UNICEF is working closely with the Government and other partners to provide life-saving assistance to those who are most in need,” he said.
Speaking on the recent flood situation in the country, Suleiman Adamu, the Minister of Water Resources said the flood situation in Nigeria is still within the capacity of the emergency agency in each state and there is no need to declare a state of emergency in the country.
Adamu said, “We have the federal government, state governments, state emergency management agencies, and federal emergency agencies and they have not in any way said that they are being overwhelmed by what they are doing.
“I’m sure if the situation was beyond our capacity, certainly a state of emergency, whatever that may encompass, would have been declared in the country.”
Days ago Investors King reported that the United States has pledged $1 million to support the flood-affected communities in Nigeria.
