Weeks after floods swept through 11 communities in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, residents say they are battling hunger and disease while they wait for help.
The floods destroyed homes and farmland and contaminated drinking water. Most people have now returned, living under tarpaulins or in patched-up buildings.
“We are still drinking water from the river there because we have no option, no borehole, nothing,” said Sunday, youth leader in Ijiwo. Residents report malaria and typhoid, and he asked for mosquito nets.
Musa Ibrahim Abubakar, who represents Doma South in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, said malaria is widespread and some areas have suspected cholera cases. He gave N5 million of his own money for food and water. “The cash donation will not take them anywhere anyway,” he said.
He said the governor has approved relief through the state emergency management agency (NASEMA) and two ministries. Health support will come first, then building materials. He blamed procurement procedures for the delay and said help may come “perhaps next week.”
Protect your family after a flood
- Boil or treat all drinking water
- Sleep under a treated mosquito net
- Treat diarrhea with ORS and go to a clinic quickly, especially for children
- Get any fever tested for malaria before treating it
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