Flood destroys homes, farmlands in 32 Benue communities

Flooding has destroyed homes, farmlands and food supplies in 32 communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, prompting an assessment by emergency management officials and humanitarian partners.
The Benue State Emergency Management Agency, working with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Nigerian Red Cross, began a joint rapid assessment on Sunday, October 18, to determine the extent of the damage and identify residents in need of urgent assistance.
The exercise covered Ewote, Utugolugu and other affected communities. It was led by the agency’s Programme Manager for IDP Operations, Orseer Zege.
Zege said the assessment was intended to identify affected communities and victims, establish the scale of destruction and determine their immediate humanitarian needs.
He assured residents that Benue-SEMA was working with the National Emergency Management Agency and development partners to facilitate relief interventions and reach those affected as quickly as possible.
During the exercise, the assessment team met with the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin Ejeh, and the traditional ruler of Ewote, Chief Ibrahim Kwelono.
They described the impact of the flooding as devastating, with houses, farmlands, food supplies and non-food items reportedly destroyed across the 32 communities.
Ejeh appealed to NEMA and Benue-SEMA to provide life jackets and livelihood support to help residents cope with the aftermath of the disaster and rebuild their sources of income.
The assessment is expected to help the relevant agencies determine the needs of affected households and guide the delivery of humanitarian assistance.