Humanity First Nigeria (HFN) successfully completed a five-day feeding program for flood victims in Maiduguri, Borno State. During this period, over 7,000 food parcels were distributed, with more than 30 volunteers working tirelessly for over six hours each day to ensure the smooth preparation and distribution of meals.
Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno State in North-East Nigeria, is home to over a million people. Before the recent flood, the city already hosted over 500,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), largely due to insurgency caused by Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa (ISWAP) fighters. As of July 2024, Maiduguri faced another humanitarian crisis when the worst flood in over 30 years hit the region, displacing over 400,000 people. According to official reports, more than 200 people have died, while many remain unaccounted for.
As of September 19, 2024, several areas are still submerged in water, and residents have been unable to return to their homes. I interviewed a local teacher from the Federal Government College in Maiduguri, who shared her ordeal: “My house is still flooded. I am still not feeling well after being trapped in floodwaters for over four hours before I was rescued.” Another victim, who received financial support from HFN, explained that he had left his home to help friends salvage their property, only to return and find his own house submerged.
These personal testimonies reflect the dire situation faced by so many residents of Maiduguri.
In addition to insecurity, Maiduguri faces other challenges, including a high number of out-of-school children, known locally as “Almajiri.” This combination of security threats, educational crises, and natural disasters has created an urgent need for coordinated assistance.
In response to the floods, Humanity First Nigeria reported the situation to Humanity First International (HFI). Under the guidance of Dr. Mahmood Qureshi, Director of Disaster Relief, HFI promptly secured funds from development partners such as Humanity First Canada, which helped mobilize volunteers to provide immediate relief.
On Monday, September 16, 2024, HFN volunteers began distributing food to displaced flood victims at the Baga Road Unofficial IDP Camp. The team later moved to the Teachers Village IDP Camp, an official camp for displaced persons. Both camps warmly welcomed HFN’s efforts, with officials and residents expressing their gratitude for the NGO’s consistent support. A National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) official commended HFN for its organization and the quality of the well-packaged food parcels provided to IDPs.
It’s important to note that the Teachers Village IDP Camp has over 13,000 official residents, and there are 32 official IDP camps across Maiduguri, housing over 100,000 people.
In collaboration with officers from the National Peace Corps of Nigeria, HFN ensured a seamless and orderly distribution process. Peace Corps officers praised HFN volunteers for their dedication and for reaching remote sections of the camps, areas that other NGOs found difficult to access.
Other international organizations, including USAID, UKAID, and UNICEF, are also present at the Teachers Village IDP Camp, coordinated by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and NEMA.
Speaking at the conclusion of the feeding program, Mr. Abdul-Qadir Abdul-Rafi, Team Lead for Disaster Relief and Programs at HFN, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve. He thanked the volunteers, camp coordinators, and other NGOs for their collaboration, while appealing for further support, noting that the challenges faced by the IDPs remain immense and that no contribution is too small.
Humanity First International @Humanity first Deutschland is also working with HFN to provide raw food items to flood-affected communities in Bauchi, Kano, and Abuja, where significant farmlands and other resources have been lost to earlier floods.
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