Tinubu plans national disaster relief fund as Borno recovers

By Faridat Salifu
Following the devastating flood that caused havoc in Borno State last week, President Bola Tinubu, has announced plans to establish a National Disaster Relief Fund.
The fund is aimed at supporting citizens affected by floods and other natural calamities.
President Tinubu made the announcement on Monday during sympathy and on the spot assessment tour visit to Borno State where the collapse of the Alau Dam had led to widespread flooding.
Acknowledging the increasing unpredictability of climate change, the President stressed the urgency of creating a fund in collaboration with the private sector.
Senate President Godswill, Akpabio, who accompanied Tinubu, pledged that the National Assembly would work alongside the executive branch to expedite the establishment of the fund.
During the Presidential tour, Tinubu visited several flood-hit areas, including the palace of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn El-Kanemi, and an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Maiduguri.
The President also praised the ongoing evacuation efforts led by military forces and thanked international organisations for their support.
He further called on state and local governments, as well as private entities, to join the Federal Government in contributing to the relief efforts.
The President emphasised that a portion of the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds could be diverted to strengthen the disaster relief initiative.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno expressed gratitude for the President’s visit and called for long-term solutions to prevent future flooding.
Governor Zulum noted that the region had not experienced a disaster of such magnitude for years.
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP), has said the recovery process after the devastating flood in Borno is expected to be lengthy, and it requires $147.9 million over the next six months for effective assistance to the affected residents and critical infrastructure.
To kick-start the desired assistance, the WFP has set up soup kitchens in several IDP camps in the flood affected areas in the region to provide meals to thousands of the worst-affected residents where conflict and economic pressures have already left millions facing acute hunger.
UN officials have called for additional international aid to address both the immediate crisis and longer-term recovery efforts.
UN agencies and non- governmental organisations (NGOs) have been working on the ground, providing emergency food, clean water, and sanitation services.
According to the UN, over 1 million people have been displaced in Maiduguri alone, with extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and farmland.
The collapse of the Alau Dam has devastated large parts of the state, with 37 people confirmed dead and extensive damage to critical infrastructure.
The collapse of the dam and the resulting floods have also significantly disrupted agricultural activities in the region, exacerbating an already dire food insecurity crisis.
UN officials reported that over 200,000 to 300,000 people remain displaced, with urgent needs for food, shelter, and health services.
The United Nations has also announced a $6 million contribution from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund to assist victims of the Borno flood.