The Kogi State Government has appealed for assistance as devastating floods submerged over 200 communities and displaced more than two million residents across the state.
This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, during a visit to Kotonkarfe in Kogi Local Government Area on Monday.
Fanwo described the situation as a brewing “humanitarian crisis” and urged the Federal Government and international donor agencies to respond quickly to alleviate the hardships faced by those affected.
According to him, floods have wreaked havoc in nine local government areas, including Kogi, Lokoja, Adavi, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela, and Omalla.
“The National Emergency Management Agency cannot afford to wait any longer, as the state is already overwhelmed.
“We are in emergency situation at the moment. This is sad. The flood disaster here is devastating and over 200 communities have already been submerged and close to two million people displaced,” Fanwo said.
The commissioner explained that the state government has opened 68 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps to house the victims.
He stated that the camps are insufficient for the massive number of displaced persons. He further revealed that critical infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, has been destroyed, compounding the dire situation.
“As we speak, nine of the 21 Local Government Areas in the state are affected which is almost 50% of the number of Local Government Areas.
“We have opened about 68 IDP camps but they can’t hold that massive population. Schools, hospitals and other infrastructure have been destroyed completely,” Fanwo said.
Fanwo noted that the state is overwhelmed and stressed the need for immediate intervention from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), NGOs, and philanthropists.
He said despite early warning alert and public awareness that helped prevented casualties, vulnerable people like women, children, and the elderly ones are in distress.
The commissioner added that the state government has established a flood disaster response team under the leadership of the deputy governor to coordinate relief efforts and support the victims.