NEMA distributes relief materials to 653 flood-affected households in Kebbi

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed food, non-food and livelihood support items to 653 households affected by the 2025 flood disaster in Kebbi.

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

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

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, stressing the need for sustained humanitarian support to facilitate 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.

" The items to be distributed for 653 beneficiary households include 500 bags of 25kg rice, 500 cartons of spaghetti, each containing 20 packs of 500g, and 250 cartons of vegetable oil, each containing four 5-litre containers.

" Others are 500 foam mattresses, 250 nylon mats, 250 blankets, 83 grinding machines, 55 sewing machines and 15 cargo tricycles," she said.

Umar said the agency 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.

She urged community leaders and beneficiaries to cooperate with officials to ensure a smooth and orderly exercise.

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

The D-G called for collective efforts by federal and state governments, local authorities, civil society organisations and citizens to improve disaster preparedness and response.

In his response, Gov. 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 providing assistance to vulnerable communities.

He described the agency's interventions as commendable, and lauded the efforts of the D-G 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.

In his remarks, the Chairman of SEMA in the state, Alhaji Kabiru Bako, commended the FG for the intervention, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to supporting disaster-affected communities.

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

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

He reaffirmed SEMA's commitment to collaborating with relevant agencies in mitigating disasters and providing relief assistance to affected persons across the state.