NEMA ASSESS FLOOD DAMAGE IN CROSS RIVER RIVERINE COMMUNITIES

The National Emergency Management Agency and the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency have conducted a joint damage and needs assessment in flood-hit riverine communities in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State to facilitate humanitarian intervention for affected residents.

The assessment, carried out on Thursday in collaboration with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, focused on evaluating the impact of recent flooding on cocoa farmlands and the livelihoods of residents.

The team, led by the Acting Head of Operations of NEMA’s Akwa Ibom and Cross River Operations Office, Awoji Austin, and the Director-General of CR-SEMA, Efa Nyong, travelled by boat to the affected communities, which are accessible only by water.

Speaking during the exercise, Austin said the visit was part of a comprehensive damage and needs assessment aimed at generating credible data for humanitarian response and recovery planning.

He said, “This visit is very essential. It forms part of our comprehensive damage and needs assessment designed to generate reliable information for humanitarian assistance and recovery planning to all the communities affected by flood.”

Austin assured residents that the findings would be submitted to the appropriate authorities for necessary intervention.

He added, “We are here to make findings. Our job is to ensure we forward the information we have gathered to appropriate authorities for necessary actions to the affected victims. Be assured that NEMA in collaboration with our sister agencies will do everything to assist in one way or the other.”

Also speaking, the Director-General of CR-SEMA, Efa Nyong, said the exercise was intended to obtain firsthand information on the scale of destruction and provide the state government with credible data to guide intervention.

He said, “We are here to carry out assessment and obtain firsthand information on the level of damage caused by the flood that ravaged several communities. We will then send this credible data gathered in the field to the Cross River State government for appropriate intervention.”

Nyong also urged residents to promptly report disaster incidents and support efforts aimed at reducing disaster risks.

The Disaster Management Officer of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Agbor Okim, sensitised community members on disaster preparedness, early reporting of emergencies and community participation in disaster risk reduction.

The delegation first visited Itaka Community, where the Clan Head, Ntufam Patrick Eteta, commended the agencies for reaching the area despite the difficult terrain.

Eteta said the flood had destroyed large portions of cocoa plantations, the main source of livelihood for residents, leaving many farming families in economic hardship.

The team later visited Mkpot Community, where the Clan Head, Ntufam Innocent Akim, also praised the agencies for undertaking the difficult journey to assess the impact of the disaster.

The officials inspected flood-ravaged cocoa farms and interacted with affected farmers to determine the extent of the damage and support plans for humanitarian assistance.

Flooding has become a recurring challenge in several communities across Cross River State, particularly during the rainy season, with riverine areas in Etung Local Government Area among the hardest hit.

The floods have repeatedly destroyed cocoa plantations, farmlands and homes, disrupting livelihoods in communities where agriculture remains the primary source of income.

Authorities have continued to conduct assessments and provide relief to affected residents while urging communities to embrace disaster preparedness and early warning measures to reduce future losses.