U.S. offers humanitarian aid to Maiduguri flood victims
The U.S. government has offered humanitarian assistance to victims of the devastating flooding, which recently occurred in Maiduguri and elsewhere.
“The United States is deeply saddened by the devastating floods that have affected Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State, resulting in loss of life, destruction of property, and the displacement of many families. We extend our condolences to the victims, their families, and all those impacted by this disaster.
“In response, the U.S. Agency for International Development is providing assistance to the affected victims through UN agencies and our implementing partners,” the U.S. Embassy stated on Monday. “Through the World Food Programme(WFP), USAID is providing hot meal rations in four camps hosting internally displaced persons and has reached more than 67,000 individuals in the past few days.”
It added, “The WFP is also providing emergency nutrition assistance to pregnant and lactating women, including children under five years old.”
The embassy further said that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) was using an initial $3 million in USAID funding to address flood needs across the country.
It said that USAID was also supporting the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) in conducting food airlifts to inaccessible areas in Borno and Maiduguri to address urgent needs.
The disaster had culminated in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and the displacement of many families, attracting a humanitarian assistance floodgate.
The National Emergency Management Agency says more than 30 people have died, and over 400,000 have been displaced due to the flood in Maiduguri.
On September 9, thousands of residents fled their homes as flood-ravaged swathes of Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin areas of Maiduguri.
The flood occurred due to the collapse of the Alau dam, which had been at full capacity.
The Borno government opened up internally displaced persons (IDP) camps for victims across the state.
