By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA – Following the presidential directive to provide immediate assistance to flood victims in Benue state, the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA has deployed a humanitarian team in the state to support persons affected by the recent flood that devastated large parts of the state.

Governor Samuel Ortom surveys the damage done by the flood

“As an emergency response, seven 30 tons truck has been despatched to the state and are due to arrive Makurdi on Friday, 1st September, 2017”, NEMA stated.

Head Media and Public Relations of the agency, Sani Datti in a statement said NEMA’s Director General, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja has also ordered “a reinforcement of another contingent of humanitarian officers headed by Director (Search and Rescue), Air Commodore Paul Ohemu from the Headquarters in Abuja in addition to the officers of the North Central Zonal Office in Jos, to deliver immediate humanitarian assistance to the affected persons in the various locations and assess the situation for further supports.

“He also sympathized with the affected people and assured that NEMA would work closely with the Benue State Government in providing them with the necessary succour”.

Meanwhile, humanitarian workers in Nigeria have called on both state and non-state actors to scale up efforts at protecting aid workers in conflict zones, lamenting the growing wave of attack such personnel.

Speaking after an awareness walk in Abuja, Engr. Maihaja recalled that the theme of this year’s celebration of the World Humanitarian Day, #NotATarget was to draw attention to the safety and well-being of humanitarian workers as well as the survival, well being and dignity of crisis victims.

Maihaja noted that humanitarian aid workers had enjoyed legal and international protection, he however pointed out that recent events have seen humanitarian workers being attacked.

“In 2016, a convoy of humanitarian workers was attacked in the North East Nigeria. More and more humanitarian workers are being confronted. They are and should not be the target of attacks”, he stated.

Maihaja therefore, assured humanitarian workers in the country of government’s determination of ensuring their protection as they discharge their mandates.

Moreso the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said over 110,000 people in 24 communities including Makurdi were displaced by flood.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr Boniface Ortese,  in Makurdi on Wednesday said that over 2, 769 households were also affected.

He explained that places affected included Achusa, Idye, Wurukum Market, Genabe, Industrial Layout, Demekpe, Wadata Market, Katungu, behind the Civil Service Commission, Agboughul-Wadata among others.

“In Achusa 200 houses were affected with 5,125 persons displaced. In Idye 217 houses were affected while 5,200 persons were displaced.

“Also, behind the Civil Service Commission 200 houses were submerged in flood and 5,777 persons were displaced.