By Nkechi Eze
Relief and recovery operations in Potiskum, Yobe State, have entered a critical phase as floodwaters begin to recede and detailed assessments of the impact continue. Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other humanitarian partners, remain on the ground to evaluate the extent of damage and coordinate further assistance for affected residents.
Although floodwaters have started to subside, the effects are still being strongly felt across the local government area. Many residents have returned to their homes to salvage what was left behind, but the scale of displacement remains significant with large numbers of households impacted across several settlements. Preliminary validation carried out by the response team indicates that no fewer than twenty-one communities spread across five wards in Potiskum Local Government Area were affected by the disaster. Some of the badly hit areas include Old Prison, Filin Mashe, Unguwar Makafi, Unguwar Jaje Bakin Kwari, Afghanistan, Tsangaya, Karofi, Bayan Garejin Dan Juma, Jigawa (Behind NTA), Makarahuta, Tandari, Nahuta, Rugan Fulani, Ramin Kasa, Uganda (Behind New Prison), Gadan Talakawa Arikime, Yindiski (Bayan Stadium), Unguwar Wazamn Dan Fulani, Yandiksi Ganuwa, Filin Allah and Helma Saleh/Kukuwale.
At present, 102 households comprising 612 persons remain displaced and are being hosted at Sabon Gari Primary School in Potiskum. The camped population is made up of 56 households from Bayan Garejin Dan Juma, 21 households from Afghanistan and 25 households from Unguwar Wanzam Dan Fulani. Humanitarian responders say the numbers could fluctuate in the coming days depending on the safety of the affected communities and the conditions of individual dwellings.
NEMA acknowledged the prompt intervention of the Yobe State Government, through SEMA, in providing immediate relief items such as food, temporary shelter and basic hygiene materials, including mats, mosquito nets, blankets, buckets and kettles. This was supplemented by medical support from YEMABUS and Primary Health Care teams. The agency added that food supplies are being distributed to the displaced households at the Sabon Gari camp, even as arrangements are already underway to reintegrate the 102 displaced families into nearby host communities once conditions allow.
According to NEMA, the joint response team continues to identify gaps in humanitarian needs so as to guide further interventions by the Federal Government, international development partners and other humanitarian actors. Efforts are also being prioritised to ensure the safe and early return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and to support long-term recovery measures after the initial emergency response.
NEMA, working closely with the Yobe State Government and its partners, reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring timely relief, effective coordination and sustained recovery assistance to all households affected by the Potiskum flood disaster, while urging residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant as the rainy season progresses.
