IUF, an umbrella organisation for Ibaji people in Ibaji Local government area of Kogi State made the passionate appeal in a save-our-soul (S.O.S) message to both President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello, adding that the flood had claimed six people so far.
The Ibaji Unity Forum (IUF) has appealed to the Federal and Kogi State governments for an urgent intervention to rescue thousands of her people now trapped in different communities as a result of the current flood disaster.
IUF, an umbrella organisation for Ibaji people in Ibaji Local government area of Kogi State made the passionate appeal in a save-our-soul (S.O.S) message to both President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello, adding that the flood had claimed six people so far.
The organisation lamented that since the outbreak of the devastating flood that submerged the entire local government and rendered the residents homeless, there had not been any assistance from the government and its agencies for the victims, many of who were in danger of losing their lives.
Officials of the organisation led by its President, Mr Stephen Uchola, who visited some of the affected communities in boats on Monday, told SaharaReporters that many of the victims were sick without drugs, food and shelter while many have remained trapped in their communities as all the roads in the local government had been submerged by the flood.
“What we saw at various places we visited has necessitated this urgent call on the various arms of government, non-governmental organizations, philanthropists and donor agencies to come to the aid of the victims who have lost everything they have to the flood and are battling to survive the disaster.
“We visited Ibaji on Monday, Tuesday and will continue today (Wednesday) to cover the entire ten wards in Ibaji LGA namely Onyedega, Iyano, Ujeh, Ayah, Ojila, Odeke, Akpanyo, Unale, Ejule and Analo and it is the same sad story everywhere. Dangerous reptiles have taking over the flooded houses and it’s dangerous."
He added, “At Aniocha in Ojila Ward, a 3-year-old child fell into the river and died two days before our arrival. Six deaths have been reported so far. The casualty figure is low because many of our people can swim.
“As we speak thousands of them including the children are sick, stranded and eager to leave the area but they cannot do so because the volunteers using wooden boats to evacuate them can’t do much. Having lost their source of livelihood they are now helpless and praying for relief assistance especially food, drugs, clothing and shelter. If these are not provided urgently, from what we experienced, many will not survive this harsh condition.
“Unfortunately, those already evacuated to Idah town and some neighbouring states are also suffering and are finding it difficult to cope with some of them wearing one dress since they were rescued from their flooded communities some days back. Many of them have no place to sleep. Their condition is very pathetic and they are crying for help,” he said.
Wondering why the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) and the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), have not intervened to evacuate the victims to safe places and provide the much needed support in the local government, he lamented that the people cannot help themselves in this current situation and their condition are getting worse by the day.
He said some members of the organisation and public-spirited individuals made donations towards assisting the victims but it was not enough to alleviate the suffering of the people and mitigate the impact of the disaster on the communities.
“We are sending this Save-Our-Soul message to President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Yahaya Bello as well as NEMA to come to the rescue of our people. These people cannot help themselves under the present circumstances and their survival now depends on support from the government and donors. They should not abandon us in this time of difficulty,” he appealed.
He, however, appealed to members of the public and kind-hearted individuals to come to their aid.