The Borno State Government has announced that over 50% of the homes affected by the recent flooding in Maiduguri have dried out and are ready for reoccupation.
During a press briefing on flood disaster management and recovery efforts, Prof. Usman Tar, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, provided this update.
The flooding, which occurred two weeks ago, submerged 70% of the capital city after a breach in the Alau Dam spillway, leading to widespread destruction of lives and property. Many displaced residents sought refuge in relief camps.
Prof. Tar noted that a significant number of displaced individuals are now leaving the camps to return to their homes. He explained that the distribution of cash, food, and non-food palliatives would now be directed to flood victims in their homes rather than in the camps.
“Over 50% of the flooded homes have dried, and we expect more to follow in the coming days,” he said, urging humanitarian organizations and NGOs to focus on directly supporting affected households within their communities.
He acknowledged that while recovery efforts are ongoing, conducting rapid assessments of affected households has been challenging due to the scale of destruction and difficulties in accessing the most severely impacted areas.
The state government’s efforts have fostered a sense of optimism as residents begin to rebuild their lives following the devastating floods.