A pledge to release the sum of $1 million has been made by the United States as humanitarian assistance for the victims affected by the sudden flooding in Nigeria.
The provision was made through U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a reliable source revealed.
Apart from the displacement of people from their homes and loss of belongings, this development comes with a close look at the effects ongoing cholera outbreak.
This has prompted the U.S to make a vow to release the $1 million will allow local partners on the ground to provide emergency shelter assistance, relief commodities, and hygiene kits to promote safe and healthy practices. Others are the multipurpose cash assistance for people affected by the devastating floods.
In reaction to the critical situation in the West African country, the U.S Consulate in Nigeria, said “he feel sorry for over 2.8 million people across the country that were affected by the unusual heavy rainfall that resulted to flooding which have left homes damaged or completely destroyed, displacing millions of people.
“We are filled with grief for the flood victims who have lost so much – livelihoods, homes, and even loved ones,”
“The United States continues to stand with the people of Nigeria during this extremely difficult time,” Mary Beth Leonard U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, said.
The statement read, “Floods have exacerbated an already critical humanitarian situation in Nigeria, where ongoing conflict, especially in the northern region, has driven millions of people from their homes. In the same region, more than 4 million people are projected to continue experiencing acute food insecurity amid the worsening global food crisis.”
“We are also concerned that standing floodwaters could increase the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states, where cholera outbreaks were declared in August and September and at least 7,750 cases were recorded in 2022, 31 out of 36 states reported cholera cases.
“As experts expect heavy rainfall and flooding to continue through November, due in part to climate change and insufficient drainage infrastructure, USAID disaster experts will continue monitoring the situation in close coordination with humanitarian partners and the Government of Nigeria to assess needs and determine if additional assistance is required.
“The United States maintains a long history of providing humanitarian assistance across the country. In 2022, USAID provided more than $356 million in humanitarian assistance to people most affected by conflict and food insecurity in Nigeria.
This life-saving assistance is in addition to USAID’s annual $539 million development budget for Nigeria that supports economic growth, health, democratic governance, and education.”
So far, the Flood in Ibaji Local Government Area Kogi State and some parts of Lokoja have displaced more than 50,000 people as the number in other parts of Nigeria keep increasing on a daily basis.
