ActionAid Nigeria warns that current relief efforts for Mokwa flood victims, especially women and children, are inadequate and poorly organised.
ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has decried that the current relief efforts for victims of Mokwa flood are not meeting the urgent needs of displaced persons, especially women and children.
AAN, in a statement on Monday by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, expressed grave concern over the devastating floods in Mokwa, Niger State, which have destroyed vast hectares of farmland, homes, and businesses.
Mamedu said: “We are now reliably informed that the death toll has risen to 224. We stand in solidarity with the affected families and residents who have suffered loss, and we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the state government and all partners in responding to this humanitarian crisis.
He said: “While we commend the efforts of humanitarian actors on the ground and donors who have contributed to government coffers, the scale of devastation in Mokwa is heartbreaking. The current relief efforts are not meeting the urgent needs of displaced persons, especially women and children.
“Although humanitarian organisations are present and providing limited support, the camps remain poorly organised and lack essential services. Many affected persons, particularly women, are reluctant to stay overnight in these camps due to the absence of basic amenities such as toilets, running water, and secure shelter. Consequently, many choose to sleep in destroyed homes or on open pavements, exposing themselves to further hardship. It is also concerning that the local emergency management committee lacks meaningful representation of women, which is vital to ensuring that gender-specific needs are effectively addressed during relief efforts.”
He added that: “ActionAid Nigeria’s team on the ground observed that, as of Sunday, 8th June, the state government had yet to commence any form of intervention, opting instead to wait until after Sallah to begin aid delivery. This delay risks further suffering for thousands who are already vulnerable, especially pregnant women, nursing and lactating mothers, children, and persons with disabilities.”
Meanwhile, ActionAid Nigeria recommended that: “The Niger State Government immediately commence the distribution of aid without further delay, prioritizing food, non-food items, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support, temporary family tents, and improved camp infrastructure.
“The Niger State Government and the local emergency management committee must also ensure meaningful representation of women in relief coordination committees to better address gender-specific needs, including the provision of gender-sensitive toilets, which will encourage displaced persons to remain in safer shelters.
“The development partners and civil society organisations increase support for comprehensive humanitarian interventions, particularly cash transfer programmes that enable affected households to quickly access essential supplies.
“All humanitarian actors ensure a coordinated, transparent, and culturally sensitive community-focused assessment to identify and respond to the evolving needs of affected persons.
“Niger State Government must urgently implement proactive, climate-resilient measures to mitigate further devastation, especially as the rainy season continues. The risk of additional flooding remains high, and urgent action is required.”
It added that: “While we acknowledge the Federal Government’s delivery of grain and the N2 billion support package, more comprehensive and sustained action is needed by the Niger State Government and the Federal Government. An open public accountability mechanism to track how every contribution is used should be put in place, to ensure that no one benefits from the suffering of survivors. Every resource must go to those most in need.”