By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The Grand Finale of the ECOWAS Flood Response Project in Bauchi State was held on Wednesday at the Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu Square at the Government House.
The programme, directed by a high-level delegation from the ECOWAS Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society is in Bauchi was to mark the Grand Finale of the ECOWAS Flood Response Project in Bauchi State.
The project, valued at $200,000, was aimed to provide relief to victims of the 2024 floods which witnessed the distribution of food and non-food items as well as cash transfers to affected households in the state.
Since its commencement on 15 December 2024, the ECOWAS Emergency Flood Response has supported 850 households across the Katagum, Jama’are, Zaki, Gamawa, and Giade local government areas, with a total of 1,000 households projected to benefit from the initiative.
Under the project, each of the 1,000 affected households received 25 kilograms of rice, 15 kilograms of beans, 15 kilograms of garrick, 5 litres of vegetable oil, 5 litres of palm oil and the sum of ₦75,000 cash transfer.
Additionally, beneficiaries received essential non-food items, including: A mosquito-treated net, blanket, bucket, mat and 25-litre jerrycan .
The initiative, funded by ECOWAS, aligns with its humanitarian response framework for all Member States just as the ECOWAS Humanitarian response for flood relief in Nigeria began in 2022 and so far a state from each of the 6 geopolitical zones have been beneficiaries of this support.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed while speaking at the ceremony, announced emergency relief efforts, supplementing the ECOWAS Emergency Flood Response Project with essential items, including Food, mats, and blankets, to support the flood ravaged Communities in Bauchi State.
He stated that, “You will all recall that in 2024, following persistent heavy rains, water levels had risen leading to severe flooding that caused significant infrastructure damage, including roads, schools, health facilities, shelter facilities and other community facilities across 16 out of 20 LGAs of the State.”
The Governor added that,”Farmlands and other sources of livelihoods were also affected leading to losses in farm produce and affecting food security. What makes the situation even worse was the fact that areas on higher ground that were hitherto unaffected by flooding become affected.”
According to him,”Assessment by the State Emergency Management Agency and other supervisory authorities indicated that the floods had caused large-scale displacement of more than 30,436 households comprising over 293,300 individuals.”
Bala Mohammed added that, “Over 52,000 houses were estroyed or badly damaged while several hectares of farmlands were washed away. The flood had exacerbated humanitarian needs, with individuals, mainly women and children, being exposed to undignified living conditions and sleeping in open or crowded spaces, exposing them to protection and health risks.”
“187 casualties were at some point reported including 24 deaths.Though a comprehensive report had been submitted to the National Economic Council for consideration and support, urgent measures were indeed taken by the State Government and other support agencies including NEMA to provide the interventions needed to ameliorate the situation at colossal costs,” The Governor added.
He also stated that,”The distribution of palliatives is a small step towards alleviating the hardship and suffering that many have endured and a clear demonstration of utmost commitment to stand with the victims during such period of difficulty.”
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Bala Mohammed stressed that,”We acknowledge, with a deep sense of gratitude, the efforts of the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and ECOWAS Commission for this kind gesture of providing support to victims affected by the 2024 flood in Bauchi State.”
Also speaking at the distribution, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission said that the move is to bring joy and happiness to the lives of the flood disaster victims in the state.
Represented by the Director, ECOWAS Commission, Dr Sintiki Tarfa, the President of ECOWAS Commission stated that the food and non food items as well as the monetary support are meant to give relief to the victims but not replacing what they lost.
Omar Alieu Touray also commended the Bauchi State Government for supporting the initiative saying that the gesture is a very good complement to what the collaborative effort is doing.
He explained that the effort is to ensure that the victims got life back through the support given urging them to ensure that the items were effectively used while the money was judiciously invested as a source of livelihoods.
The ECOWAS Commission President then assured that the Commission will continue to be collaborative in the effort to make life better for citizens across the West Africa which is its main mandate.
In her welcome address, State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajara Yakubu Wanka commemded the ECOWAS Commission, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Nigerian Red Cross Society and other agencies for the collaboration.
Hajara Yakubu Wanka added that provision of relief is a continous thing in the state as the Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir is making sure that there is immediate response to any disaster situation.
She revealed that the State Government has added to what the victims are getting from the ECOWAS Commission collaboration including the sum of N75,000.
In his address, President of Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRS), Prince Oluyemisi Adetayo commended the State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir for his humanitarian posture which has endeared him to the people.
He said that the Red Cross is partnering with ECOWAS and others to bring relief to the victims of the flood disaster of 2024 stressing that the number may seem minimal but the impact of the assistance will be felt by many.
According to him, the items distributed are meant to meet immediate specific needs of the victims at a moment like this when such support and assistance are most needed and necessary.
He stressed that efforts should be made to avert future occurrence of flood disaster by construction of drainage, redirect the water ways, move the disaster prone communities to safer highlands and other necessary things.
A representative of the beneficiaries commended ECOWAS Commission along side the other agencies as well as the State Government for the items saying that it will go a long way in mitigating their losses.
