Philip Nyam Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has said that the humanitarian impact of the flood disasters in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in the North East region of Nigeria would need about $200 million to tackle.
Addressing the special session of the ongoing 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) of the African Union (AU) in Midrand, South Africa on Thursday, Kalu said that over one million persons were displaced in one of the states by the natural disaster with tens of thousands of families without shelter, food, water and access to healthcare.
He said that flooding is one of the negative impacts of climate change in Africa which must be checked.
Kalu who is leading the Nigerian delegation to the conference told other African leaders that the tragedy has greatly affected the economy and the infrastructures of the states and the country at large.
He therefore called on the African Union and other international organizations to assist Nigeria in solving the humanitarian crisis even as the Parliament at his instance observed a minute silence in honour of those who died in the flood disaster.
He said: “It is obvious that across the length and breadth of our continent, the losses suffered from climate change is unquantifiable but the loss of lives is the one that is hard to bear. Whether it is in Nigeria, Mali and so on, you see our brothers and sisters weeping for the dead lost through the consequences of climate change.
“Currently Nigeria is going through one of the worst times in our history. For these ones we have lost through the consequences of climate change, I would like to request humbly that as leaders of this continent, we observe a one-minute silence for the dead.
“This presentation highlights what we are going through in real terms on climate change. We are experiencing the impact of climate change all across the world and Africa is not left out. Nigeria recently witnessed climate change-induced flooding that affected Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. This humanitarian crisis has dealt a heavy blow to our infrastructure and our economy.
“From August to September, these torrential rainfalls and subsequent bridge of major dams caused severe flooding causing widespread destruction in communities facing social and economic challenges.
“Mr. President, Hon. colleagues, this particular flood has displaced over one million people in one state, and tens of thousands of families without shelter, food, water, and access to healthcare.
“The estimated cost of the humanitarian response for this flood impact is about $200 million, needed to be able to bring the place back to shape.
“How is the AU working to ensure a coordinated response to climate change induced crises such as the recent flooding in Nigerian states
“Mr President, are there specific intervention frameworks in place on mobilising resources for member states facing climate-related disasters like Nigeria?
In a related development, Kalu while reacting to a presentation on the factors militating against the achievements of goals of the Africa Free Trade Agreement (AfFTA) called for the removal of various bottlenecks.
