The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has expressed concern over the significant impact of flooding on the lives of no less than 33,983 individuals in the year 2023.

During the Emergency Coordination Forum Meeting held in Abuja, Hajiya Fatima Kasim, the Director of Planning, Research, and Forecasting, shared this disconcerting statistic on Thursday. She emphasized that flooding, a recurring phenomenon in the country, arises from a multitude of factors, including improper construction practices.

Kasim further enumerated contributing factors, which encompass inadequate drainage systems, ineffective solid waste management, detrimental land-use practices such as deforestation, and the escalating effects of climate change.

In the early part of the year, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) released its 2023 Seasonal Climate Prediction, forecasting normal to above-normal rainfall patterns for the country. This prediction underlines the vulnerability of 178 local government areas across 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory to high flood risks.

However, Kasim noted that NEMA had collected data over the past seven months regarding the extent of the population impacted by flood-related disasters in the country.

She stated, "As of August 9, we have compiled the following data for 2023 flooding: Number of affected states - 10; Number of affected individuals - 33,983; Number of displaced individuals - 7,353; Number of injured individuals - 75; Number of fatalities - 5; Number of completely destroyed houses - 1,679; and Number of farmland hectares severely damaged - 866."

Prior to her statement, Mustapha Ahmed, the Director-General of NEMA, emphasized the significance of revitalizing the Emergency Coordination Forum meeting to prioritize effective disaster management. He highlighted that the forum serves as a platform for stakeholders to collectively address humanitarian challenges stemming from emergencies and disasters, fostering collaboration and cooperation among the country's emergency management stakeholders.