Flood destroys 6,800 IDP shelters in Borno

• As Cholera Affects 3 Adamawa Councils
Country Director of Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Nigeria; Eric Batonon, has said that flood destroyed shelters for 6,800 displaced persons in Maiduguri camps of Borno.

The torrential rains led to flooding temporary displacement camps, leaving vulnerable families homeless.

Batonon, in a statement, last Friday, in Maiduguri, said: “NRC is appealing for an urgent financial assistance to address the colossal humanitarian needs to prevent spread of cholera.”

He said the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are suffering, due to relentless rains and wind battering their homes.

On state of IDPs in camps, he said: “Large numbers of families, who fled from conflict areas, months ago, are left homeless, while others are forced to share overcrowded tents with neighbours or relatives. Over 6,800 people living in those displacement camps have been impacted by floods in recent weeks.”

He further disclosed that 500 people in Dikwa were rendered homeless, due to flood with the set up of homes in disused registration centres.

“They are essentially displaced within a displacement camp,” he lamented.

Fatima Mohammed, a mother of four, said: “My home is completely destroyed. My floor has turned to mud and water is everywhere. The rain keeps coming and we do not have any choice but to wait for it to stop or share with others.”

Meanwhile, in Adamawa State, government officials have declared an outbreak of cholera in three local councils.

Batonon said on August 16, there were 633 reported cases of cholera. Four persons died. He warned that there may be new cases of cholera in the coming weeks due to flood.