On Thursday, Dr. Alieu Omar Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, announced a donation of N640 million to assist victims of the recent flood disasters in Borno and Bauchi States. Each state will receive N320 million as part of this initiative.
The announcement was made in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, where Dr. Touray was represented by Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs.
Professor Sarr expressed heartfelt condolences to Nigerians affected by the unprecedented floods, which have resulted in hundreds of fatalities, mass displacements, and extensive property damage. She stated, “For many years, the ECOWAS region has experienced extreme weather conditions due to climate change. Floods threaten lives, damage infrastructure, and hinder access to essential public services, often leaving communities vulnerable.”
The Commissioner commended the Nigerian government’s swift response to the crisis under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recognizing their commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to affected communities. “The ECOWAS Commission stands firmly with the Government of Nigeria during these difficult times,” she added.
The donation aims to address the immediate needs of the affected populations, particularly women, children, and other vulnerable groups in need of food, shelter, water, sanitation, emergency health services, and protection.
Dr. Touray’s announcement emphasized ECOWAS’s commitment to humanitarian principles and ongoing support for Nigeria and other member states during emergencies. He called for enhanced collaboration with the Nigerian government to ensure effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
In response, Mr. Abel Enitan, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, expressed gratitude to the ECOWAS Commission for its support. He assured that the Ministry would ensure transparency and accountability in the utilization of the funds, engaging critical partners for effective implementation.
Mr. Enitan also highlighted the widespread impact of the floods, noting that other states across Nigeria were similarly affected. He emphasized the need for proactive measures and flood alerts issued by relevant government agencies to prevent future disasters.
