NEMA Distributes Relief, Livelihood Support to 653 Flood-Affected Households in Kebbi

 

By Atlantic Reports

The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, disclosed this on Tuesday during the direct distribution of Presidential Post-Flood Intervention items in Birnin Kebbi.

Umar, represented by the Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Alhaji Abbani Garki, said the intervention was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to support flood-affected communities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

She revealed that the 2025 flood disaster affected 128 local government areas across the country, claiming 241 lives, affecting 459,995 people and displacing another 158,588.

According to her, the disaster also destroyed 96,649 farmlands, alongside small businesses, infrastructure and other livelihood assets.

She said the figures represented families and communities whose sources of livelihood had been disrupted, underscoring the need for sustained humanitarian assistance to support their recovery.

Umar said the intervention reflected President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to disaster risk reduction, humanitarian assistance and the protection of vulnerable communities under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She explained that the Kebbi distribution was designed to provide immediate relief and targeted livelihood support, with priority given to female-headed households and persons living with disabilities.

Items Distributed to Beneficiaries

Umar listed the items provided for the 653 beneficiary households to include:

• 500 bags of 25kg rice.

• 500 cartons of spaghetti, each containing 20 packs of 500g.

• 250 cartons of vegetable oil, each containing four 5-litre containers.

• 500 foam mattresses.

• 250 nylon mats.

• 250 blankets.

• 83 grinding machines.

• 55 sewing machines.

• 15 cargo tricycles.

She said NEMA was working with the Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), relevant ministries, departments and agencies, local government authorities and security agencies to ensure transparent and equitable distribution.

The NEMA director-general urged community leaders and beneficiaries to cooperate with officials to ensure a smooth and orderly exercise.

She emphasised that emergency relief was only the first step towards recovery, adding that the Federal Government remained committed to helping affected communities rebuild their livelihoods and strengthen their capacity to withstand future disasters.

Umar also called for collective efforts by federal and state governments, local authorities, civil society organisations and citizens to improve disaster preparedness and response.

Kebbi Government Commends Federal Intervention

In his response, Governor Nasir Idris, represented by the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Sani Aliyu, commended NEMA for its sustained partnership with the state government and other relief agencies in supporting vulnerable communities.

He described the agency’s interventions as commendable and praised the efforts of its Director-General, whom he described as a worthy daughter of the state.

“We appreciate the D-G for these wonderful interventions.

“NEMA has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the state government and other agencies in providing relief to our people.

“She has continued to prove herself as a worthy daughter of the state through her concern for the welfare of our people.

“We will continue to remember and appreciate her efforts towards alleviating their suffering.

“We congratulate the beneficiaries and urge them to make judicious use of the items for the benefit of their families and the state, particularly the livelihood and skills-development equipment.

“Beneficiaries should utilise the items to develop their economic capacity, improve their livelihoods and enhance the well-being of their families,” the governor said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of SEMA in Kebbi, Alhaji Kabiru Bako, commended the Federal Government for the intervention, describing it as a demonstration of its commitment to supporting communities affected by disasters.

Bako said the items would go a long way in alleviating the hardship faced by the affected households.

He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the materials to improve their living conditions and restore their livelihoods.

The SEMA chairman reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to collaborating with relevant institutions in mitigating disasters and providing relief assistance to affected persons across the state.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.