We know a lot of things are happening right now but let’s not forget that millions of Nigerians are still suffering the effects of flooding. Although coverage of the issue has reduced, it’s important that we keep in mind that a large part of over 30 Nigerian states are under water.
This is not just a case of rains spoiling your plans in October and November because over 612 people have died and millions have lost their homes, means of livelihood and members of their families.
The crisis is far from over.
[Image Source: Daily Post Nigeria]
Apart from the direct impact on people, the Nigerian economy has been hit too by the floods, with rice farmlands in Nigeria’s food-basket states being affected, leading to the loss of $20 million.
It also affected Nigeria’s daily earnings in global markets, as the Nigeria Liquefied and Natural Gas company (NLNG) called a ‘force Majeure on October 17, 2022, which halted profits that could have come from gas exports.
Have people gotten help?
Although responses were slow in the beginning, some help has started getting to the victims.
Here are some of the heavy donors so far:
The United States
The United States provided $ 1 million to flood victims through the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The funds were provided to help local partners and agencies with emergency shelters, relief commodities, and hygiene kits to promote safe and healthy practices, especially with the cholera outbreak that has been widespread across Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
The Red Cross
The International Federation of the Red Cross/Red Crescent issued a Floods Emergency Appeal
Jordan
The King of Jordan, Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein Al Hashimi donated useful relief items. These included food packages, clothing, blankets, and sanitary items for flood victims.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
The royal couple donated funds for the flood victims in order to provide relief materials. The amount was unspecified. The donation was made to both UNICEF and Save the Children in Nigeria.
Switzerland
In response to an emergency appeal by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC, Switzerland donated $756,000. This was to aid the IFRC and Nigerian Red Cross to provide relief support for victims.
The Knights of St. John
A Nigerian Catholic group, the Knights of St John International, donated a sum of N8 million to various Catholic dioceses. These were located in Idah, Markurdi, Lokoja, Auchi, Bomadi, and Warri, as well as the archdioceses in Onitsha, and Owerri.
The donation is also expected to support the repair of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) institutions affected by floods.
Donations from political candidates
The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu donated a sum of N100 million to Kano flood victims. This happened during a party held in his honour in October 2022. 50 million naira was also donated to Bayelsa State flood victims by the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
Lastly, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, gave the sum of N5 million to flood victims in Benue. He also gave relief materials which included bread and noodles to Anambra state flood victims.
