National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a warning about a potential outbreak of waterborne diseases following the recent flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the Director-General of NEMA, has deployed additional search and rescue personnel and facilities to support the ongoing efforts to rescue Maiduguri residents trapped in their homes due to the floods.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the Head of the Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, NEMA announced measures to mitigate the risk of a disease outbreak, including the provision of safe, clean water through its water tanker to flood-affected residents in areas like Bakassi camp.
The statement reads, “The Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has activated the deployment of additional search and rescue personnel and facilities to strengthen the ongoing rescue of Maiduguri residents trapped in their homes by the devastating flood disaster in the city.
“In addition to the search and rescue operation, the Agency, through a rapid assessment of the situation, has warned against the likelihood of a waterborne epidemic resulting from the flood contamination of household water.
In view of this, the Agency has been providing safe, clean water using its water tanker to the temporary shelters provided for the displaced residents impacted by the flood, including Bakassi camp.”
The statement further highlighted NEMA’s efforts from the onset of the flooding, stating, “Since the flooding began last weekend due to heavy rains in the city and the subsequent overflow of the Alau dam, the Agency, through its North East zonal office, has been working together with the Borno State Emergency Management Agency and other stakeholders to conduct search and rescue operations, as well as carrying out rapid assessments for appropriate assistance to the impacted persons.”
NEMA continues to monitor the situation closely and is coordinating with other stakeholders to provide the necessary support and assistance to affected residents.
