Prof. Yerima calls for urgent support for Borno flood victims

Government agencies, humanitarian groups, corporate organisations and individuals have been urged to come to the aid of flood victims in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. A former House of Representatives member, Professor Haruna Yerima, disclosed this in a statement he issued to sympathise with the flood victims on Wednesday. The United Nations Office for the […]

Government agencies, humanitarian groups, corporate organisations and individuals have been urged to come to the aid of flood victims in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

A former House of Representatives member, Professor Haruna Yerima, disclosed this in a statement he issued to sympathise with the flood victims on Wednesday.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said more than 239,000 people were affected by the floods.

Professor Yerima, who is a university teacher, said, “Maiduguri residents need the support they can get from good-spirited individuals, corporate bodies and humanitarian agencies.”

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He said the disaster, the worst in more than 30 years, “has brought untold trauma to the residents of Maiduguri. They require the support of all and sundry in terms of food, medical supplies, water, clothing, among others.”

The former lawmaker commended Vice President Kashim Shettima and Governor Babagana Zulum for their prompt efforts in ameliorating the suffering of the displaced residents.

He, however, said the federal and state governments can’t do everything at the same time; they need the support of NGOs, corporate organisations and individuals.

The university don said the floodwaters have unleashed venomous animals from the state zoo, deepening the threats of attacks among residents.

He said the collaboration is needed to avert the breakdown of diseases in the state capital. “It was on record that the floodwaters washed away a cemetery and thousands of septic tanks, which pose a greater danger to the well-being of the city’s residents,” he said.