Switzerland pledges $1.2m to flood victims in Borno, others

Switzerland has committed approximately N1.9 billion ($1.2 million) to support victims of recent flood that ravaged parts of Nigeria, particularly the Borno State capital, Maiduguri.

The Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Nicolas Lang, who disclosed this, yesterday, in Abuja, noted that the funding support would be channeled through the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund managed by the United Nations (UN).

According to Lang, the contribution will complement the efforts of the Nigerian Government to respond to the crisis. He added that persons affected would be provided with multi-sectoral assistance to meet their immediate basic needs.

This, the ambassador explained, would include health, water and sanitation measures to prevent the spread of a cholera outbreak, temporary shelter, food security, as well as protection services.

He said: “This contribution to the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund will come in direct support to the government’s efforts to provide immediate life-saving assistance.

“Providing such humanitarian support has been a key pillar of our close and longstanding relationship with Nigeria. We are also exploring ways to potentially assist efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness.”

The assistance by Switzerland came as the Federal Government’s inter-ministerial technical committee on Dam evaluation pledged to tackle the pressing issue of disaster risks through proactive management and strategic planning.

This committee was formed in response to recent flooding disasters in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.

The high-powered committee is tasked with evaluating the state of dams across the country to prevent future disasters.

The eight-member committee, chaired by the Minister of Water Resources, Prof Joseph Utsev, with the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Richard Pheelangwah, serving as secretary, has key government officials as members. Among them are the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and his counterpart in the Ministry of Works, Information, and Orientation, among others.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, yesterday, Prof. Utsev emphasised the urgent need for proactive disaster management.

He highlighted the government’s decision at the Federal Executive Council meeting on September 23, 2024 to establish a Disaster Relief Fund, aimed at providing immediate assistance to victims of national disasters.

Utsev further disclosed that the committee would collaborate with technical experts and create a Project Delivery Unit (PDU) to support its work.