News Agency of Nigeria
Flood: 545 households displaced in Kaduna

Flood: 545 households displaced in Kaduna

By Ezra Musa

No fewer than 545 households have been displaced after two days of torrential rainfall,  with 171 houses also  damaged across communities in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Usman Mazadu, Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) made this known in a statement in Kaduna on Tuesday.

Mazadu said the agency led a joint assessment of the affected areas to determine the scale of destruction and coordinate emergency response.

He explained that the rain, which fell between Sept. 4 and Sept. 5, forced responders to move from evaluation to urgent evacuation in some communities, as floodwaters submerged homes and property.

According to him, the multi-agency team included the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Christian Aid, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) the Nigeria Red Cross, and the Kaduna State Fire and Public Safety Agency.

He said Kigo Road Community was the worst-hit, where 69 buildings and 276 households were flooded, adding that a private nursery and primary school, Merits Kids Academic School, was also affected.

Mazadu added that in Rifin Guza, an overflowing river submerged several buildings, while other communities impacted included Shooting Range, Kabala Costain; Bashama Road, Tudun Wada; Ungwan Rimi, where a connecting bridge to Libreville Road was washed over; and Malali G.R.A.

He stressed that the assessment was crucial in guiding government intervention.

“We are documenting every affected household to ensure relief reaches those who need it most. Our priority is to provide temporary shelter, food and medical support for displaced residents,” he said.

He further noted that KADSEMA is working closely with partners to sustain ongoing relief efforts.

“Beyond immediate response, we are developing a recovery plan to help affected communities rebuild and reduce future risks,” he said.

Mazadu also confirmed that the assessment team visited a displacement camp at Girls Primary School, Kigo, where the agency assured residents of government’s continued support until normalcy is restored.(NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

AfDB, UNHCR support refugees, displaced persons

AfDB, UNHCR support refugees, displaced persons

By Kamal Tayo Oropo

The African Development Bank (AfDB) group and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) are to address forced displacements in Africa.

The two bodies, in a groundbreaking move, reached the agreement on Friday in one of the events marking the closure of Africa Investment Forum, Market Days 2024, in Rabat, Morocco.

The event is with the theme: ‘Leveraging Innovative Partnership For Scale.’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there are over 45 million forcibly displaced people in various communities on the continent.

Speakers noted that the AfDB and UNHCR partnership aimed to unlock the economic potential of these communities and promote sustainable development.

AfDB Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Hassatou N’Sele, emphasised the need for African nations to reform their approach to addressing displacement.

“We need to be bolder and work together to make a lasting impact. It’s not about competition or visibility, but about changing lives.

“The partnership will focus on renewable energy, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and financial services to support refugees and displaced persons.

“By combining humanitarian aid with long-term development finance, the AfDB and UNHCR aim to create sustainable solutions for these communities,’’ she said.

UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees, Raouf Mazou, noted that Africa was at a transformative moment, where everyone understands the need to approach forced displacement in a comprehensive manner.

“The business case is clear: refugees and IDPs must be part of the economy of the country or community that welcomes them,” he said.

According to him, this innovative partnership is a significant step toward addressing the complex challenges faced by refugees and displaced persons in Africa.

He said by working together, the AfDB and UNHCR could help create a brighter future for these communities and promote sustainable development across the continent. (NAN)  www.nannews.ng

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Vivian Ihechu

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