The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) is urging government agencies and the private sector to swiftly provide relief and support to victims of devastating floods that have left many homeless in Borno State, particularly in Maiduguri.
In a statement, Festus Adebayo, CEO of HDAN, emphasized the floods’ severe impact on communities and their contribution to Nigeria’s worsening housing deficit. He reported that approximately 70% of Maiduguri has been submerged, with homes, businesses, and vital infrastructure affected.
“The unprecedented floods have left the city’s residents in dire conditions,” Adebayo stated, calling for federal and state governments to increase efforts in offering temporary shelter, food, medical aid, and clean drinking water to those affected.
He also raised alarm over health risks, noting that the floods have exhumed corpses from Gwange Cemetery, raising concerns about potential outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and typhoid due to contaminated water. Adebayo characterized the situation as not only a humanitarian disaster but also a significant health crisis.
The floods have also wreaked havoc on critical infrastructure, including the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, which had to evacuate patients to higher floors as water levels rose. HDAN urged private sector stakeholders to contribute to recovery efforts, emphasizing the need for collaboration between private companies and the government to rebuild homes and restore livelihoods.
Moreover, the floods have devastated wildlife, killing 80% of the animals in Maiduguri’s Sanda Kyarimi Zoo and allowing dangerous animals like crocodiles and snakes to escape into nearby communities, heightening the risk for residents. Authorities are advising caution as rescue and relief operations continue.
Dr. Abubakar Ngubdo, Chairman of the Association of Resident Doctors, warned of potential health disasters from floating corpses and sewage contamination, calling for urgent government intervention to provide adequate sanitation and health services to the displaced population.
In a tragic twist, reports indicate that the floodwaters have also reached the Sambisa Forest, resulting in the deaths of over 100 insurgents and their families.
As the Borno State Government reopens internally displaced persons camps to accommodate those affected, HDAN highlighted the urgent need for long-term strategies to tackle climate change and improve flood management systems in Nigeria. The organization reiterated its commitment to advocating for stronger housing policies focused on disaster preparedness and mitigation.
HDAN expressed solidarity with the people of Borno State during this crisis and called on all Nigerians to support relief efforts to alleviate the suffering of those displaced by the floods.
