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Tag: NEMA

  • Humanitarian Minister condemns attack on civilians in Borno

    Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq, has condemned insurgent attacks on residents of Borno which left 10 persons dead and 47 injured.

    Farouq in a statement by her media aide, Mrs Nneka Anibeze, on Wednesday in Abuja described the bombardment of residential areas by the insurgents as inhuman and insensitive.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Boko Haram insurgents fired Rocket Propelled Grenades shots from Kaleri on the outskirts of Maiduguri on Tuesday night.

    Two densely populated communities, Gwange and Adam Kolo areas including a children’s playground were mostly hit by the grenades.

    The injured have since been taken to the State Specialist Hospital, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for treatment.

    “I condemn in its entirety, the attacks on innocent residents of Gwange and Adam Kolo commutes.

    “My ministry through its Agency, NEMA is already working with SEMA to assess the extent of damage in the attacked communities for possible provision of relief items.

    “We sympathise with the state government and victims, especially those who lost their lives in the attacks. We pray for the souls of the departed,” she said. (NAN)

  • Humanitarian minister activates response mechanism for Maiduguri IDP camp fire disaster

    Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, has activated the National Emergency Management Agency humanitarian response mechanism for the Maiduguri IDP camp fire disaster.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the minister’s media aide, Mrs Nneka Anibeze.

    The statement quotes the minister as saying the activation became necessary to ensure that victims of the Maiduguri Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp fire incident were immediately provided with basic humanitarian item

    According to her, the items will ameliorate the effects of the fire outbreak which has displaced many families.

    The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that the fire incident claimed three lives, two adults and an infant, about 3,600 IDP were affected and hundreds of shelters razed.

    Farouq who visited the victims at the Customs Area of Maiduguri sympathized with the casualties, adding that the spate of fire incidents in the country was becoming worrisome.

    “I am depressed by the number of fire incidents which have so far occurred in 2021 alone. Some were accidents while some could have been avoided.

    “I pray for the souls of those lost in this fire outbreak. The ministry will beef up measures to protect lives and property in the various IDP camps across the country and guard against a recurrence.

    “Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed sets of tents to provide makeshift shelters for the IDPs at the customs house camp.

    “Priority will be given to the vulnerable victims especially women, children and the aged in the distribution of the relief items. Food items and basic household materials are being made available to the IDPs,” she said.

    The Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Hajiya Yabawa Kolo, had said on Wednesday that the inferno might have stemmed from a cooking fire that got out of control in one of the tents.

    “NEMA and the SEMA are currently collaborating to put measures in place to avoid a recurrence through advocacy and sensitisation in the camps,” Kolo said.(NAN)

  • Shasha Market Crisis: Humanitarian affairs minister urges Nigerians to learn to coexist peacefully


    Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has urged Nigerians to learn to coexist peacefully.

    In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, signed by the deputy director of information, Mrs Rhoda Iliya, Farouq expressed sadness over the avoidable ethnic violence in Shasha Market in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    She sympathised with victims and families of those affected by the crisis.


    ”In a community where different ethnic groups co-exist,  people should learn to live in peace,  tolerate and be patient with one another.


    “It is unfortunate that a minor misunderstanding, generated into a conflict that claimed lives and properties.


    “I commensurate with the families that lost their loved ones, as well as those who lost their properties. May Allah grant the departed eternal rest.


    “It is good news that relevant security agencies have intervened and normalcy is gradually returning to the community.


    “As the government is restoring peace to the conflict area, victims would  be provided with necessary relief materials,” the minister said. (NAN)

  • Borno IDP Camp Fire: Humanitarian minister condoles with bereaved family, victims

    Borno IDP Camp Fire: Humanitarian minister condoles with bereaved family, victims

    Hajiya Sadiya  Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has Development, has commiserated with the families of those who died in the Borno IDP Camp fire.


    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the fire at the IDP left at least 7,200 people without shelter, Hajiya Yabawa Kolo, an official from Nigeria’s Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) said early on Wednesday.

    A total of 1,200 tents were burned in the fire at the camp in Gajiram village in Borno.

    Farouq in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, issued by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Bashir Alkali and signed by the Deputy Director of Information, Mrs Rhoda Iliya, described the incident as unfortunate.


    She said she was saddened by the fire incident that claimed three lives, two adults and an infant, about 3,600 IDPs affected and hundreds of shelters razed down.


    “I have already directed that the cause of the fire  be investigated to forestall future occurrences.“Please I want to also advise that cooking inside the makeshift homes  be discouraged,” Farouq said.


    The Minister had directed that relief materials be dispatched to the camp to cushion the effect of the incident.


    Farouq also commended Kolo and her team who paid prompt visit to the camp to sympathise with the victims. (NAN)

  • Abuja Fire disaster: Humanitarian Minister sympathizes with victims

    Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has sympathised with victims of fire disaster at the Tipper Garage Market, 3rd Avenue, Gwarimpa in Abuja.

    Farouq expressed compassion to the affected people in a statement by her Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Nneka Anibeze,  in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fire razed the market in the early hours of Thursday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Farouq described the fire outbreak as tragic, adding that she was deeply saddened by the incident.

    “I sympathize with the traders, especially those who lost their lives in the inferno.

    “I learnt that six traders who lost their lives in the fire were said to be trapped in their stalls having passed the night there.

    “I also sympathise with the families and relatives of the dead and pray God to grant them eternal rest,’’ she said.

    Earlier, the minister directed the National Emergency Management Agency to assess the level of damage caused by the fire for immediate provision of relief and intervention materials.

    The fire which started at midnight was said to have lasted over two hours before it was put out by the FCT Fire Service.

    Goods worth millions of naira were burnt while several other traders sustained various degrees of burns.

    Many houses around the market were also affected by the fire. (NAN)

  • Flood: Tambulwa lauds Buhari for intervention in Sokoto

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambulwa of Sokoto state has praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention after floods ravaged through  Gwadabawa, Ilela, Sokoto North,  Wammako, Bondinga and Tambuwal Local government areas, destroying farmlands and crops in the  state.


    This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Nneka Ikem Anibeze, the Special Assistant to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq and made available to HammerTimes News Online on Sunday in Abuja.


    Tambulwa gave the commendation at the weekend when Farouq visited the state to distribute relief items to flood victims and also flag off the Rural Women Grant Project.


    “I must thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his goodwill message, empathy and sympathy on the natural disaster that ravaged a number of our communities, as well as his support to the victims affected. 


    “We are working on a supplementary budget to be presented to Mr President, to see how we can rebuild houses, hospitals and schools affected by the flood.


    “We also commend Mr President for his Social Investment Programs. There are so many of them and we appreciate the much that Sokoto state has benefited from these programs. 


    “We assure you that the people and government of the state are willing to partner with you on any program that will benefit her people,” Tambulwa said.


    The Governor who described the state as women friendly also promised to do more to empower women especially those in the rural areas.


    Speaking earlier, Farouq commiserated with the state government on the flood incident.


    She stressed that Buhari was concerned about the devastation caused by the flood and had directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) via the Ministry to respond in providing necessary support to the affected persons. 

    “I am here with the Director-General of NEMA to present relief items approved for distribution to assist the affected persons.


    “The approved food  items for the state include 1,502 bags of Maize, 1,502 bags of Rice, 1,502 bags of Beans, 107 kegs of palm oil, 43 kegs of Vegetable oil, 202 cartons of seasoning , 141 cartons of tin tomatoes and 22 bags of salt. 


    “Other relief items given to the state include 3868 blankets, 3868 mattresses, 3004 mosquito nets, 3780 bags of cement, 3780 bundles of roofing sheets, 723 bags of nails, 200 packets of zinc nails and 72 cartons of detergent”, Farouq said.


    However, she noted that before the distribution of the items, the flood affected persons in Goronyo Local Government Area had already received support from the Federal Government through NEMA. 

    According to her, Sokoto Operations Office of NEMA has conducted an on-the-spot assessment of Binji and Silame Local Government Areas. 


    “Nevertheless, the following relief items have been approved and due to be delivered before the end of the week; 455 (12.5kg) bags of rice, 455 (12.5kg) bags of maize, 455 (25kg) bags of beans, 76 cartons of seasoning, 46 kegs (20 Litres) of vegetable oil, 38 cartons of tomato paste, 910 blankets, 910 mattresses, 910 mosquito nets, 600 bags of cement, 600 bundles of roofing sheets, 200 packets of zinc nails, 67 bags of 3 inch nails”. 

    Farouq also announced the payment of N5,000 monthly to 3,465 poor and vulnerable households in Sokoto state, while 29,676 vulnerable households awaiting enrollment. 


    She appealed to the governor to assist the state to enroll more people for the intervention programs. 

  • Flood: Tambulwa lauds Buhari for intervention in Sokoto

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambulwa of Sokoto state has praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention after floods ravaged through  Gwadabawa, Ilela, Sokoto North,  Wammako, Bondinga and Tambuwal Local government areas, destroying farmlands and crops in the  state.


    This is contained in a statement signed by Mrs Nneka Ikem Anibeze, the Special Assistant to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq and made available to HammerTimes News Online on Sunday in Abuja.


    Tambulwa gave the commendation at the weekend when Farouq visited the state to distribute relief items to flood victims and also flag off the Rural Women Grant Project.


    “I must thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his goodwill message, empathy and sympathy on the natural disaster that ravaged a number of our communities, as well as his support to the victims affected. 


    “We are working on a supplementary budget to be presented to Mr President, to see how we can rebuild houses, hospitals and schools affected by the flood.


    “We also commend Mr President for his Social Investment Programs. There are so many of them and we appreciate the much that Sokoto state has benefited from these programs. 


    “We assure you that the people and government of the state are willing to partner with you on any program that will benefit her people,” Tambulwa said.


    The Governor who described the state as women friendly also promised to do more to empower women especially those in the rural areas.


    Speaking earlier, Farouq commiserated with the state government on the flood incident.


    She stressed that Buhari was concerned about the devastation caused by the flood and had directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) via the Ministry to respond in providing necessary support to the affected persons. 

    “I am here with the Director-General of NEMA to present relief items approved for distribution to assist the affected persons.


    “The approved food  items for the state include 1,502 bags of Maize, 1,502 bags of Rice, 1,502 bags of Beans, 107 kegs of palm oil, 43 kegs of Vegetable oil, 202 cartons of seasoning , 141 cartons of tin tomatoes and 22 bags of salt. 


    “Other relief items given to the state include 3868 blankets, 3868 mattresses, 3004 mosquito nets, 3780 bags of cement, 3780 bundles of roofing sheets, 723 bags of nails, 200 packets of zinc nails and 72 cartons of detergent”, Farouq said.


    However, she noted that before the distribution of the items, the flood affected persons in Goronyo Local Government Area had already received support from the Federal Government through NEMA. 

    According to her, Sokoto Operations Office of NEMA has conducted an on-the-spot assessment of Binji and Silame Local Government Areas. 


    “Nevertheless, the following relief items have been approved and due to be delivered before the end of the week; 455 (12.5kg) bags of rice, 455 (12.5kg) bags of maize, 455 (25kg) bags of beans, 76 cartons of seasoning, 46 kegs (20 Litres) of vegetable oil, 38 cartons of tomato paste, 910 blankets, 910 mattresses, 910 mosquito nets, 600 bags of cement, 600 bundles of roofing sheets, 200 packets of zinc nails, 67 bags of 3 inch nails”. 

    Farouq also announced the payment of N5,000 monthly to 3,465 poor and vulnerable households in Sokoto state, while 29,676 vulnerable households awaiting enrollment. 


    She appealed to the governor to assist the state to enroll more people for the intervention programs. 

  • Flood: FG inaugurates Committee on Emergency Response Plan


    The Federal Government on Monday in Abuja inaugurated a high-level committee for the development of National Flood Emergency Preparedness and response plan to effectively checkmate flooding across the country.
    Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in her opening remarks said the inauguration was necessitated by reports from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the multi-sectoral nature of disasters in general.
    “it is therefore pertinent that we are all here to develop a National MultiSectoral and Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan towards disaster risk reduction of flooding hazards in the country. 
    “Since February 2020, the Ministry has played a vital role in monitoring floods and calling stakeholders for action in response to the 2020 seasonal rainfall prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET). 
    “I have attended several meetings at the National Economic Council, chaired by the Vice President with all state governors in attendance to provide high level sensitisation and advocacy. 
    “The key messages were the need to mitigate root causes of flooding and to provide structural and nonstructural measures including town planning, infrastructure design, temporary resettlement and relocation of vulnerable communities and dam management. 
    “Hence the overall objective of today’s meeting is to activate efforts towards developing a National Multi-sectoral and Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.
    “It also serves as an inaugural meeting for the High-Level Committee to which you are all members,” Farouq said.
    According to her, the Committee will set and approve realistic timelines to developing the new Plan and receive briefing on the efforts by the various stakeholders. 
    The stakeholders that form part of the Committee include Ministry of Water Resources, NEMA, Ministry of Information and Culture, Ministry of Environment, NiMET, NAN, NTA, FRCN and others.
    Also speaking the Director-General  of Nigeria Hydrological Services (NIHSA) Mr Clement Nze said it came up with Annual Flood Outlook to ensure that all stakeholders were informed on the issues relating to flooding.
    Nze identified Coastal, Urban and River Flooding as responsible for the floods in all parts of the country.
    He said Flooding in other African countries like  Republic of Niger, Burkina faso, Cameron and others usually affect Nigeria’s water that also result to flooding in the coastal and river areas in the Nigeria.
    “The Middle and Southern Parts of Nigeria are yet to get out of flooding. However, we will ensure that the room cause of flooding is address”.
    Similarly, the Director-General of NiMET Prof. Sani Abubarkar represented by his Technical Assistant, Prof. Mansur Bako-Matazu said it is cheaper to provide early warning than do the needful after disaster has struck.
    In same vein, the Director-General of NEMA, Mohammed Alhaji said so far, no fewer than 77,520 farm lands were affected by flood and 129,200 persons were affected.
    Alhaji added that NEMA is currently working with 64 military units across the country stressing that the relationship is excellent.