A release from EYN Projects
On Sept. 10, Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, Nigeria, and its surrounding areas were hit by a devastating flood, leaving thousands of people in dire need of immediate assistance. The disaster, caused by the overflow and breach of the Alau Dam in the neighboring Konduga Local Government Area (LGA), has affected an estimated 1,020,340 individuals across four LGAs: Maiduguri, Jere, Mafa, and Konduga.
The flood resulted in widespread destruction, displacing thousands of residents from their homes and necessitating a comprehensive response to address the humanitarian crisis. The magnitude of the destruction from this devastating flood could not be quantified at the time, but now the water has been receding and assessments are becoming possible. Camps for flood survivors in Maiduguri numbered 36 at one point, with about 400,000 people. As of this writing many people have been able to return to their homes but there are still 12 camps, only 3 of which are recognized by the government.
Challenges posed by the flood
The flood, as reported by OCHA’s Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) on Sept. 13, created a humanitarian crisis, leaving over a million people without essential services such as food, shelter, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities, and NFIs (Non-Food Items). The situation heightened the risk of waterborne diseases and disease outbreaks, particularly due to the lack of proper sanitation and clean water access.
In response to this crisis, the Governor of Borno State made a public appeal, urging various stakeholders–including community leaders, business owners, national and international NGOs, and wealthy individuals–to come together to support the affected communities. This collaborative effort is crucial to addressing the urgent needs of the displaced and vulnerable population.
This situation highlights the immediate need for a coordinated response from both governmental and non-governmental actors to provide emergency relief, mitigate health risks, and begin the process of recovery for those impacted by the floods.
Impacts of the flood on Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN)
The flood directly affected several EYN staff members, causing significant damage and disruption to their lives. More than 600 church members’ residences were severely flooded, resulting in extensive damage to homes, collapse of walls, and loss of personal belongings. At least 7 EYN project staff member’s houses were flooded, leading to loss of properties and food items.
Interventions provided by EYN Projects
EYN Projects has so far responded by providing immediate needs including food, bread, sanitary pads, and soap to over 4,500 individuals within the Ali Sheriff School where displaced people have been accommodated.
The EYN Maiduguri Project is not directly linked to the EYN Headquarters. Currently, the EYN Headquarters has called for a general offering for the Brethren affected in Maiduguri, which is still ongoing.
— This report was provided to Newsline by Zakaria Bulus, an EYN member who is currently researching critical and emerging technologies at the University of Michigan in the United States.
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