Provinding Succor to Flood Affected Communities in Yobe

Abuja – As peace dawn in some areas in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, communities have capitalized on it by steadily rebuilding their homes and businesses – reviving markets that were once thriving.

However, the onset of flooding caused by torrential rains has led to communities that have fled cycles of violence once again displaced.

A recent report published by UNOCHA revealed that an estimated 8,875 households (HH) have been greatly affected by the heavy down pour of rains and flash floods across Borno and Yobe states. An estimated 7,347 makeshift and emergency shelters have been partially damaged while some others were swamped in some IDP camps and host communities in Borno and Yobe States.

Through intensive planning and support of Executive Secretary SEMA, Dr. Muhammad Goje, House of Assembly member, Hon. Buba Ibrahim Kallalawa, District Head/Community Leader, Alhaji Zanna Baba Gana and representatives from PHCMB, MOWR & Community Volunteers, we were able to provide relief materials to 137 families in Warsala, Furi A and Furi B under Kukareta ward in Damaturu LGA, Yobe State.  Action Against Hunger has provided them with sheets of tarpaulins, galvanize wires, nails and ropes while abled young men have been trained on how to reconstruct their houses based on their needs.

Our team also conducted mass nutrition screenings by measuring the mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) of children between 6 – 59 months in the affected communities to identify malnourished children who urgently need lifesaving treatment and care.

Adnan Latif, the area coordinator in Yobe State revealed that the danger of further flooding looms and Action Against Hunger is ready to support another 500 households in most vulnerable communities affected by the flood in Yobe state with Shelter Kits, WASH Kits & general sensitization & Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) screening activities as identified by SEMA.

Speaking on the possible impacts of flooding Adnan Latif, the area coordinator in Yobe State elaborated; “communities face further threats of being exposed to outbreak of water born diseases like cholera, therefore we distributed key hygiene messages to encourage hand washing and avoid the contamination of water sources as well as providing essential hygiene kits such as, soaps, buckets, cooking utensils, hygiene sanitation kits, aqua tabs to purify the water to ensure that households takes precautionary measures to prevent the fast spread of diseases. AAH will work closely with local stakeholders to work together to provide emergency response and contingency measures to more at risk LGAs.”

Mr. Kanaganathan an Action Against Hunger technical expert on WASH issues expressed concern over contaminated water points in affected communities stating that stagnant water, which have been polluted by fecal wastes from latrines pose a high risk of contaminating the shallow boreholes and other water sources which could directly endanger the community to mass outbreak of water-borne disease like cholera if serious proactive measures are not taken.