In Kogi state, it’s apparent that the devastating effects of flooding have left hundreds of people homeless, many dead while billions of naira properties were eroded.
Unfortunately, most of the victims are less privileged living from hand to mouth. This implies that the situation has added to their sufferings and as such many lost their lives due to hunger and starvation in the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps. Food inadequacy has been the major concern in the IDP camps whereby many people share a cup of ‘gari’ from dawn to dusk.
In the provided IDP camps, there is no access to basic facilities such as water, toilets, and a suitable place to lay their heads. Some of the victims and their families sleep outside in the middle of the night, without mosquito nets, thereby exposing them to disease such as cholera, typhoid, malaria and many more.
Apart from that, the victims are vulnerable to dangerous animals such as snakes, scorpions, and Assasin bugs, among others. These are now regular visitors as the victims left their abodes for life-saving purposes. Therefore, the victims’ life iare in a serious dilemma and if care is not taken, many would still lose their lives instead of surviving in the IDPs camps.
The situation is beyond the Kogi state government as it can’t do it alone. It is clear that over 10 local government areas were affected by the downfall and over 80,000 homes were submerged. The number of damaged properties including farms is yet to be ascertained. As such, the intervention of the federal government is needed in the said areas to save lives if not risking their lives in the name of the life-saving processes.
The economic features of Kogi state can’t in any way provide the needed relief material to the casualties as their number increases daily in the camps.
Disgustingly, it was alleged that some unscrupulous elements among the camp aides are secretly diverting what is meant for the flood victims and leaving them with no food to eat despite the pitiful situation in the camps. The point is if people who are in need are to be marauded by heartless criminals then we have a long way to go in this country.
However, the rat habits of those people leave the victims with no choice than to beg to survive otherwise hunger would kill many. Therefore, I am calling on the Kogi state government to investigate the alleged misconduct and make the culprits to face the wrath of the law.
Before I drop my pen, let me reiterate the victims’ situation for the government to intervene urgently. Many are sleeping on the floor with no matrasses and mosquito net which could easily endanger their lives. Therefore, I am calling on the federal government to provide the victims with the necessary relief materials and reduce their suffering.
Zainab Umaru Kwagyang,
Department of Mass Communication,
University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno state
