Flood displaces 770 households in Benue

Benue State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs Mr. Aondowase Kunde has said that close to 770 households have been displaced due to floods from the River Benue.

The flooding has most severely affected the Makurdi area, where displaced residents have taken shelter in temporary camps.

“Approximately 770 households were displaced,” Kunde explained. “About 520 displaced households are taking shelter in NKST Primary School Wadata, while 250 are in Gaadi Comprehensive Secondary School,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been providing essential supplies, including food, mattresses, and water containers, to the affected individuals for the past two weeks.

With water levels now beginning to lower, Kunde expressed optimism that many displaced residents could return home soon, pending a safety assessment ordered by the governor.

“As a temporary measure, the governor directed that we should assess and repair flood-damaged houses,” Kunde noted, adding that some homes may need fumigation due to risks from reptiles and insects,” he said.

Looking ahead, the government has a long-term plan to construct housing in safer areas and relocate those currently residing in flood-prone zones. “The governor is committed to addressing these challenges, including post-flood recovery,” Kunde affirmed.