Kogi govt calls for help as flood sacks 200 communities

The Kogi State Government has once again called on the Federal Government and international donor agencies to come to the aid of the state as floods affect over 200 communities.

Addressing newsmen in Kotonkarfe, Kogi Local Government, on Monday, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, stated that a major humanitarian crisis is brewing in the state, as nearly two million people are currently homeless.

He emphasized that the National Emergency Management Agency “cannot afford to wait any longer,” as the state is already “overwhelmed.”

“We are in a dire emergency situation at the moment, and this is sad. The flood disaster here is devastating; over 200 communities have already been submerged, displacing close to two million people.

“As we speak, nine of the 21 Local Government Areas in the state are affected, which is almost 50% of the total number of Local Government Areas. We have opened about 68 IDP camps, but they cannot accommodate such a massive population. Schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure have been completely destroyed.

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“Seeing the elderly and young children in this kind of distress is a horrible sight. We did not lose any lives because we activated the early warning and awareness plan. We are expending huge resources daily, but it is inadequate. We call on the Federal Government, international donor agencies, NGOs, and philanthropists to come to our aid,” he said.

Fanwo noted that the State Government had earlier set up a Flood Disaster Response Team under the leadership of the Deputy Governor, assuring the victims of the government’s support in the face of this natural disaster.

Kogi, Lokoja, Adavi, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Idah, and Ibaji are among the affected Local Government Areas.