Maiduguri floods: NEMA deploys more ‘search and rescue’ personnel

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has deployed more personnel to join the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), search and rescue team in Maiduguri, Borno State following massive floods as the Alau Dam broke its banks.

Activating the emergency response, Director General NEMA, Zubaida Umar, said her team would assist in the ongoing rescue of residents trapped in their homes by the devastating flood in the city.

NEMA spokesman Manzo Ezekiel in a statement said that in addition to the search and rescue operation, the Agency is also alerting residents on the likelihood of a water-borne epidemic due to the flood.

“Through a rapid assessment of the situation, there is a likelihood of a water-borne epidemic that may result from flood contamination of household water.

“In view of this, the Agency has been providing safe clean water by using its water tanker, to the temporary shelter provided for the displaced residents impacted by flood, including Bakassi camp,” Ezekiel said.

NEMA said that it has been working with the Borno State Emergency Management Agency and other stakeholders in the search and rescue and carrying out rapid assessment for appropriate assistance to impacted persons.