Bauchi, ECOWAS provide flood relief to 1,000 victims

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has extended support to approximately 1,000 individuals affected by the 2024 flood disaster in Bauchi State, through a multipurpose intervention.

At the grand finale ceremony of the ECOWAS Emergency Response Project, held at the Bauchi Government House on Wednesday, Tanko Sununu, the State Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, confirmed the relief efforts. Sununu, represented by the Ministry’s Director of Humanitarian Affairs, Valentine Ezebu, stressed that the initiative aimed to assist the most severely impacted communities in Bauchi.

He noted the commitment of the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, to alleviating human suffering and promoting recovery for disaster victims.

“The collaboration between ECOWAS Commission and Federal Government of Nigeria underscores the power of regional solidarity in addressing humanitarian challenges and demonstrates
that collective action is the key to overcoming shared challenges,” he said.

“The list of the vulnerable population in the six local government areas of Bauchi who benefited from the intervention was provided by the Bauchi State Government and was validated by Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Ministry’s implementing partner, to ensure that the most affected population within these locations are targeted
and captured.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tugga, represented by the Head of the ECOWAS National Unit of the Ministry, Ali Gombe Haruna, also addressed the event, praising the successful collaboration between ECOWAS and the Nigerian Red Cross Society in bringing aid to the affected communities.

Sintiki Tarfa, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs of the ECOWAS Commission, who spoke on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission President, Aliyu Umar Ture, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the victims of the Bauchi floods.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Aminu Hammayo, also expressed gratitude for the support provided. In addition to the ECOWAS intervention, the state government has contributed by assisting 150 additional households in addressing the needs of the flood victims.

Each beneficiary received a package that included a bag of rice, beans, a gallon of vegetable oil, a blanket, a bucket, a mat, and a cash transfer of 75,000 naira.

This intervention underscores the ongoing collaborative efforts between ECOWAS, the Federal Government, and Bauchi State to provide aid and support to flood-affected residents.