Tens of thousands of people in Maiduguri have been displaced by severe flash flooding after the Alau Dam collapsed on the night of 9 September, causing widespread devastation. Described as the worst flooding the region has seen in 30 years, the disaster has left many already vulnerable communities struggling to survive.
On Saturday, top officials from United Nations (UN) agencies in Nigeria, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the Nigeria Red Cross Society visited Maiduguri to assess the situation and show solidarity with the victims. Led by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, the delegation met with Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the government’s relief efforts.
“I witnessed firsthand the devastation and untold hardship caused by the flooding, including the destruction of homes, businesses, and infrastructure. I also saw the suffering of affected communities,” Fall stated.
According to the Borno State Emergency Operations Centre, over 300,000 people have been displaced, mainly in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Jere, and Konduga local government areas. The floods have compounded the hardships of many people who were already displaced multiple times by the ongoing conflict and insecurity in the region.
The officials visited several relocation sites, including Asheik Jarma Primary School and Yerwa GGSS camps, where flood survivors have been temporarily sheltered. Immediate needs include food, water, sanitation, shelter, and protection for the most vulnerable, including children separated from their families.
Governor Zulum expressed gratitude to the UN and NGOs for their swift response. “We are thankful especially for the use of the UN helicopters to deliver life-saving assistance, including food and non-food items, in communities cut off by the flood. I also thank the UN for camp coordination and management support.”
Zulum further stressed the importance of swift recovery efforts: “Our priority is to rebuild the lives of affected people and ensure the displaced population does not stay for more than two weeks in the temporary shelters provided for them.”
Fall acknowledged the scale of the disaster and its potential long-term impacts, particularly in the context of Borno’s existing food insecurity crisis. “The flood-affected people are experiencing a crisis within a crisis, with the floods occurring at the height of severe food insecurity and malnutrition,” he said. In Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states alone, 4.8 million people are facing severe food insecurity, with 230,000 children at risk of severe acute malnutrition.
Fall, in a move to support the immediate response, announced the allocation of $6 million from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund, with an additional $2 million expected to follow. However, more resources are required to meet the escalating humanitarian needs, as the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Nigeria remains only 46% funded.
The floods in Borno are part of a larger crisis across Nigeria, where over one million people have been affected by flooding this year, according to the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA). Other hard-hit states include Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, and Jigawa. To support the government-led response nationwide, the UN has approached the UN Central Emergency Response Fund for further assistance.
As the humanitarian situation continues to unfold, both national and international efforts are being ramped up to provide lifesaving aid and begin the long process of recovery for those affected.