The 2023 general elections campaigns are centre-stage in Nigeria right now. However, Nigerians are still suffering from the country’s worst flooding crisis.
On November 3, 2022, the Save the Children International (SCI), a nonprofit organisation, made an announcement. It revealed that over 38 million people have been affected by flooding in Nigeria, Pakistan, India, Chad and South Sudan. Of that number, 2.5 million are from Nigeria and 1.25 million of them are children. The SCI also noted that 250 schools have been destroyed by the floods, negatively impacting their education.
What’s the government’s latest response?
The Nigerian government has come under heavy criticism for not declaring a national state of emergency. Despite the hundreds of lives lost and the millions displaced, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, had some interesting things to say in October.
“It’s certainly an emergency situation but it all depends on what you mean by declaring state of emergency. We haven’t reached a situation in my view where the relevant emergency management authorities haven’t been able to deal with this situation. I’m not aware that has happened.”
In an earlier story, we reported that the federal government announced the approval of the National Emergency Flood Preparedness and Response Plan. However, the details of this plan remain unknown. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development are working together to coordinate a line of action in response to the crisis.
On November 3, 2022, the federal government inaugurated a “Presidential Committee for Development of a Comprehensive Plan of Action for the Prevention of Flood Disasters in Nigeria”. The committee is expected to develop an action plan for the president in 90 days. The timeline of this plan was ridiculed online for its ineffectiveness in addressing a pressing concern.
We aren’t holding our breath on whatever plan the government comes up with. Still, it’s at least better late than never. In the meantime, read our guide on how to protect your health during this flooding crisis.
ALSO READ: How Is Nigeria Responding to Its Worst Flooding Crisis?
