Agency seeks long-term solutions to Benue flooding

The Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency has called for long-term solutions to address the aftermath of the severe flooding that occurred in September and October.

Mr Matthew Nyamwe, an official from the agency, made the call at the WASH in Emergency Working Group meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

He noted that water levels had reached up to 10.20 metres in some areas, and that 17 Local Government Areas, including Makurdi, Buruku, and Katsina-Ala, had been heavily affected.

He said approximately 37,530 households, totaling 235,180 individuals, have been displaced, with many now living in IDP camps, particularly in Makurdi.

Nyamwe stated that the flooding had caused major disruptions to water and sanitation services, leading to water contamination and increased health risks.

“Outbreaks of cholera and measles have been reported, with children being particularly vulnerable.

“The health risks are alarming, and urgent action is required to prevent further spread,” he stated.

In response to the crisis, Nyamwe explained that the state government had established a Technical Committee on Flood Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation, and Response.

He emphasised the importance of early warning systems, saying, “Flood risk messages have been disseminated at the grassroots level to reduce the impact”.

Nyamwe also noted that the state, in collaboration with International Office on Migration (IOM) and UNICEF, had been working to rehabilitate water facilities in IDP camps.

“Emergency toilets have been constructed, but additional facilities are urgently needed due to the high population density in these areas. “We are doing our best, but the demand is overwhelming,” he said.

He called for more support to address the crisis effectively saying there was a clear need for expanded water and sanitation facilities.

The official also highlighted the need for additional hygiene kits, mobile toilets, and educational materials to be distributed to affected communities.

He urged the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and organisations like Save the Children to assist in providing the necessary resources.

“We need a broad partnership to address these gaps,” he added.

He stressed the importance of training local staff in emergency response and early warning systems to strengthen their ability to respond to future crises.

Nyamwe also pointed to the lack of adequate funding as a major challenge.

“Limited resources are hindering our ability to provide sufficient sanitation and hygiene services across all camps,” he said.

Nyamwe, however, confirmed that the state planned to use recently released funds to construct solar-powered boreholes in partnership with UNICEF and other organisations.

He outlined plans to continue mobilising resources and securing additional support from federal agencies and international partners.

“We need to prioritise training programmes to strengthen our emergency response teams and ensure we’re better prepared for the future,” he said.

He also revealed that preparations are underway to expand infrastructure in existing camps and collaborate with IOM to manage future influxes of displaced persons.

“Our focus is on both immediate relief and long-term resilience,” he added.

The WASH in Emergency Working Group was established in 2012, when the country experienced serious devastating flood that affected 85 million people from 14 states.

The group has since remained active, especially in the North-East and many parts where IDPs exist and have responded immediately on outbreaks.

The membership cuts across WASH sector players from Institutions, Development Partners, International and local NGOs, CSOs responding to WASH issues in the country, with UNICEF as its co-lead.