Attachments
OVERVIEW OF FLOODING IN ADAMAWA STATE
On Saturday, 7 October 2023, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) issued an alert over the threat of rapid flooding along the River Niger and River Benue Basin, owing to the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in the Republic of Cameroon, calling for the immediate activation of an emergency response plan in the following states: Adamawa, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa.
In Adamawa State, water levels started rising on Thursday, October 5 October 2023, leading to severe flooding that caused significant infrastructure damage, including roads, shelter facilities, health facilities, IDP sites, schools, and other community facilities across 14 out of 21 LGAs in Adamawa State.
According to the latest Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) report, the floods have caused a large-scale displacement of more than 8,504 households (51,043 individuals), the majority of whom are women, children, and the elderly, currently living in 11 temporary settlements across Yola South, Yola North, Lamude, Madagali, and Demsa LGAs. 33 casualties were reported.
The actual scale of the catastrophe is still unpredictable, as the situation is still closely being monitored. The flood exacerbated humanitarian needs, with individuals, mainly women and children, being exposed to undignified living conditions and sleeping in open or crowded spaces, exposing them to protection and health risks.
RESPONSE
In addition to immediate humanitarian needs, there are growing concerns about the medium- and long-term impacts of the floods and the need to improve response mechanisms, especially among vulnerable populations. The CCCM, Shelter, and NFI sector has been strengthening the preparedness and response capacities of local authorities and at-risk communities to mitigate the impact of climate-related hazards.
Multi-sectorial joint assessment and response planning is scheduled for the second week of October 2023.
The CCCM, Shelter, and NFI, albeit with a low response attributed to funding among partners, continue to advocate for responses.
IMMEDIATE HIGHLIGHTED NEEDS
Camp Coordination and Management:
An immediate need for camp coordination and management services such as site facilitation and coordination services, information management sharing and dissemination, and site environment and infrastructure maintenance and improvement work in the temporary settlements following the flood incidents. This includes the urgent need for flood mitigation materials.
Non-Food Items (NFIs):
Most of the IDPs lost all their NFIs in the floods. The displaced people urgently need NFIs such as mattresses, blankets, and hygiene kits. The lack of access to hygiene materials (soap, hand-washing facilities) poses a health risk to the displaced flood-affected population.
Shelter:
Most houses in the affected areas are submerged in water, leaving the residents without adequate shelter, and now living in overcrowded space.
Protection:
The flood-affected population living out in the open or in overcrowded shared spaces requires protection services. 33 families who lost their loved ones, and many others got injured, thus the need for specialised protection services. Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence remain key concerns.
Food:
Most of the IDPs lost their food, thus there was a need for supply for the displaced population.
WASH:
Sources of water in the affected location have been contaminated, posing significant health risks to the affected population. Latrines have become filled up with water due to flooding, creating unsanitary conditions and further health hazards.