THE Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) is calling both the government’s agencies and the private sector to act swiftly in providing relief and support to the victims of devastating Borno flood, who have been left homeless.
The group stated this while extending its sympathies to the people of Borno State following the devastating floods that have reportedly displaced over 500,000 citizens.
In a statement made available to Nigerian Tribune in Lagos, Festus Adebayo, the Executive Director of HDAN, pointed out that the flood has had an enormous impact on communities, worsening Nigeria’s housing deficit, highlighting the urgent need for better urban planning.
According to him, the unprecedented floods have ravaged Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State, with homes, businesses, and infrastructure submerged under fast-moving waters, adding that 70 percent of Maiduguri, the state capital, has been flooded, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), leaving the city’s residents in dire conditions.
HDAN called on the federal and state governments to intensify efforts to support the flood victims by providing temporary shelter, food, medical aid, and clean drinking water.
The floods have exhumed corpses from the Gwange Cemetery, raising serious concerns about the risk of disease outbreaks. Health experts are already warning of potential cholera, typhoid, and other water-borne diseases due to contaminated water in the affected areas.
Adebayo stated, “The alarming scenes we are witnessing in Borno are not just a humanitarian disaster but also a health crisis. The government must ensure the displaced have access to clean water, decent shelter and medical care.”
The flood has not only destroyed homes but also critical public infrastructure, such as the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), which had to evacuate patients to higher floors due to rising water levels.
HDAN urged the private sector and housing stakeholders to contribute to the recovery efforts by helping rebuild homes and infrastructure in the flood-affected areas.
Adebayo added, “This is a time for all hands to be on deck. Private companies, particularly those in the housing and construction sectors, must partner with the government to help rebuild homes and restore livelihoods.”
The floods have also had a devastating impact on wildlife, with 80 percent of the animals in Maiduguri’s SandaKyarimi Zoo killed by the floods. Dangerous animals, including crocodiles and snakes, have escaped into nearby communities, creating further danger for residents. Authorities have warned people to remain cautious and avoid flooded areas as rescue and relief efforts continue.
Additionally, the floods have triggered fears of an epidemic due to the contamination of water sources.
The Chairman of the Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. AbubakarNgubdo, warned that floating corpses and sewage contamination could lead to a health disaster if not promptly addressed. He called for urgent government intervention to provide proper sanitation facilities and health services to the displaced.
In a tragic turn of events, security sources reported that the floodwaters have also reached the Sambisa Forest, drowning insurgents and their families. It is estimated that over 100 insurgents have died as the floodwaters from River Yedzaram swept through the terrorist enclave. The Borno State Government has reopened Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps to house those affected, with aid agencies assisting in relief efforts.
This disaster has underscored the need for long-term strategies to address climate change and improve flood management systems in Nigeria.
HDAN reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for stronger housing policies that prioritize disaster preparedness and mitigation to prevent future occurrences of this magnitude.
“HDAN stands in solidarity with the people of Borno State during this tragic period and calls on all Nigerians to support relief efforts to alleviate the suffering of those displaced by the floods,” Adebayo said.
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