Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has raised concerns about the infiltration of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps by individuals not directly impacted by the recent flooding in Maiduguri and Jere.
During the launch of relief material distribution at Bakassi Camp in Maiduguri, Zulum highlighted that the influx of non-affected individuals has complicated the relief efforts. The flooding, caused by overflow from Alau Dam, has displaced nearly 2 million people in the region.
Zulum noted that the presence of individuals who were not directly affected by the floods has made managing the camps unsustainable. He emphasized the need for a thorough assessment of the affected areas to improve the effectiveness of future relief efforts.
To address the situation, Zulum announced plans to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the affected communities to accurately determine those in need of aid. He also acknowledged the support from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which have contributed food donations and other aid.
The relief packages include a 25kg bag of rice, a carton of pasta, and N10,000 in cash per recipient. NEMA Director General Zubaida Umar also reported that the agency has been providing shelters and mobile water purifiers to ensure access to clean drinking water for flood victims.
Hyelsinta Hassan