Flood submerges 255 communities, displaces over 31,000 households in Yobe 

The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Yobe, on Wednesday revealed that flood has submerged 255 communities, displacing over 31,000 households in 17 Local Government Areas in Yobe State.

The Executive Secretary SEMA in Yobe, Dr Mohammed Goje,  said on Wednesday in Damaturu that “as of October 2, 2022, over 31,000 households were affected by flood across 255 communities from 17 local government areas of the state.:

According to the Executive Secretary, “Gujba Mutai, Kukuwa Tasha, Buni Gari and Buni yadi, Gulani, Jakusko, Tarmuwa, Geidam and Bade witnessed the worst in nearly half a century.”

Goje stated that 75 fatalities occurred as a direct consequent of windstorms and floods with many more lives at risk across 10 area councils from May to date; adding: “including 11 due to boat mishaps, over 200 sustained injuries and were treated and discharged free.”

He noted that those in flood prone areas and along water ways had been the hardest hit by the floods.

Goje also said that a total of 6,592 people have been internally displaced across the affected communities.

“This does not include Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) returnee communities who are just returning and have limited access to farmlands,” he said.

He pointed out that preliminary reports and desk review indicates that so far 92 water points and lots of WASH facilities, agricultural products and livestock were also affected.

He said the agency had successfully relocated some victims in worse hit communities to approved public places and safe host neighbouring communities.

“SEMA has provided and distributed first line food basket to some of the affected population.

“We invited all resident humanitarian and development partners to plan for medium and long-term responses and recovery using the state humanitarian coordination platform to mobilise resources for effective multi-sectoral disaster responses,” he said.