NEMA HANDS OVER RELIEF MATERIALS TO EBONYI, ASSESSES FLOOD-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES

NEMA HANDS OVER RELIEF MATERIALS TO EBONYI, ASSESSES FLOOD-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has handed over approved relief materials to the Ebonyi State Government following flood incidents that affected several communities and displaced thousands of residents across the state.

The handover took place on 30 September 2026 during a visit by a NEMA delegation led by the Director, Search and Rescue Department, Air Commodore B. A. Usman, and the Director, Relief and Rehabilitation Department, Mr Gariki Imani, alongside the Head of Operations, NEMA Enugu Operations Office, Mrs Priscilla Madukwe, and other officials.

The delegation first inspected the relief materials delivered to the designated warehouse before proceeding to meet with the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru.

The approved relief materials were formally presented by the Director, Relief and Rehabilitation Department, Mr Gariki Imani, on behalf of the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar.

He said the intervention was aimed at providing immediate assistance to persons affected by the floods while complementing the response efforts of the state government.

The Governor appreciated the Federal Government and NEMA for the prompt intervention following the flood situation in the state. He said the state government was taking steps to control and mitigate the impact of flooding, while noting that water resources, if properly harnessed and channelled, could also support agricultural development and improve food security.

Following the handover, the NEMA Headquarters delegation, in collaboration with the NEMA Enugu Operations Office, conducted assessments in flood-affected communities in Amasiri, Uburu and Ishiagu, located in Afikpo, Ohaukwu and Ivo Local Government Areas respectively.

The assessments formed part of the coordinated response and ongoing efforts to determine the impact of the flooding and support the delivery of relief assistance to affected populations.

During the exercise, the team observed that several farmlands, farm settlements and animal husbandry facilities had been affected by the floods. Cultivated farmlands were particularly impacted, with crops including cassava, yam, rice, plantain and banana, as well as various economic trees, heavily affected.

Household properties, livestock and other domestic animals were also affected, resulting in significant losses to residents, particularly those whose livelihoods depend largely on farming and other agricultural activities.

The assessment also enabled the NEMA team to interact with affected residents, obtain first-hand information and evaluate the extent of the impact on communities, livelihoods and household assets.

2 October 2026