Kogi State Government has called on the Federal Government and international donor agencies to assist as floods have displaced over 200 communities.
Addressing journalists at Kotonkarfe in Kogi Local Government on Monday, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, warned that a major “humanitarian crisis is brewing in the state, with close to two million people currently homeless.”
He said, “The National Emergency Management Agency cannot afford to wait any longer” as the State is already overwhelmed.
“We are in a dire emergency; this is tragic. The flood disaster here is devastating with over 200 communities submerged and about two million people displaced.
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“As we speak, nine of the 21 Local Government Areas in the state are affected 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 destroyed.
“Seeing the elderly and young children in such distress is heartbreaking. We have not lost any lives because we activated the early warning and awareness plan.
“However, we are spending 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 added that the State Government had previously set up a Flood Disaster Response Team led by the state’s Deputy Governor and reassured the victims of the government’s continued support in the face of the natural disaster.
Kogi, Lokoja, Adavi, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Idah, and Ibaji are some of the affected Local Government Areas.
(Punch)
