About two million people are still displaced days after devastating floods struck Maiduguri city, in Borno State, Nigeria’s Northeast, an official said on Friday.
Economic activities have yet to return as victims struggle to overcome trauma caused by severe floods of the Sept.10-11, says Bulana Abiso, head of coalition of civil society.
The Borno state governor, Babagana Zulum, has said victims of the massive floods are still in displaced persons camps established by the government in the wake of the disaster.
“Most of our people are still displaced and many infrastructure damaged by the flood,” Zulum told officials at a Nigerian bank, which donated N1 billion (about $600 million) to help rehabilitate infrastructure destroyed by the floods and resettle victims.
Zulum promised all the donations into the relief basket account would be used for affected persons and not diverted by officials.
Thousands of people have been taking refuge in open places, religious centers, and 32 displaced persons camps, including public schools, since the severe floods killed at least 40 people.
Local authorities have commenced distribution of money, food, and non-food items to displaced persons in camps and a few people taking refuge in safer areas.
Abiso, head of the coalition for civil society organizations, told journalists that economic activities are yet to return to the city days after the incident.
Abiso said most victims are still in shock and struggling to overcome the trauma of their losses and displacement caused by the disaster.
Institutions and individuals, including Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, donated money to support victims.
