News

Flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, has devastated the area and displaced hundreds of thousands.

DRC Nigeria provided hygiene kits and protection support to flood-affected victims in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

Posted on 22 Sep 2024

Written by Victory Ayele

On September 9, 2024, a devastating flood struck Maiduguri after the Alau Dam breached due to structural damage located about 20 kilometers away from Maiduguri. The ongoing heavy rainfalls across Bama, Damboa, and Gwoza LGAs significantly contributed to the dam's structural damage leading to flooding which submerged 40% of Maiduguri.

The hardest-hit areas in Maiduguri included Gwange, Bama Road, Maiduguri Zoo, Lagos Street, Shehu’s Palace, Maiduguri Main Market, and several other key locations. Over 400,000 people have been affected and evacuated by Government authorities to 36 temporary relocation sites, including former and existing Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps or informal settlements.

The floods have severely affected infrastructure, disrupting markets, schools, healthcare facilities, and businesses, and limiting the possibility for affected people to meet their basic needs. The flooding water has favoured the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, while carrying garbage and faeces, which has increased Maiduguri’s vulnerability to a further health crisis. Families have suffered significant damage to their homes and have joined overcrowded IDP camps, where the promiscuity has created further protection concerns.

As an immediate response to the critical needs of the displaced households, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) targeted temporary relocation sites with the highest demand for assistance and provided 1,810 affected households with essential hygiene kits in Bakassi camp on September 14 and in Gubio Camp on September 18, 2024.

The kits included soap, Aquatabs, sanitary pads, torches, children's potties, buckets, and jerrycans. These essential items were provided to address the urgent needs of families in the camp, helping to improve access to clean water, maintain proper hygiene and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.

Beyond providing supplies, DRC is working to raise awareness about safe hygiene practices and helping residents recognize and report human rights violations in the camps.

There is still much to be done to help flood victims stay safe, recover and rebuild their lives . DRC’s response in collaboration with the state authorities has been made possible with support from EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid and the Augustinus Foundation.

It’s not just about surviving the flood, It’s about ensuring that people, especially women and children, are able to access essential services and are safe from further harm.

/ Martha Kampire_DRC Borno Area Manager.

DRC Nigeria

About Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Nigeria

Danish Refugee Council has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015 and has experience working in 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the BAY states in Northeast Nigeria.

DRC provides life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations, including IDPs, returnees, and host communities, in the sectors of armed violence reduction, livelihoods, food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI), and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

In 2024, DRC expanded its operations through emergency response mechanisms into Zamfara and Sokoto states, addressing the increasing humanitarian needs of internally displaced populations.