Adamawa flood victims, mainly children and the elderly, crowd IDP camps in Yola-South, struggling with hunger, trauma, and inadequate relief materials
Adamawa flood victims—mostly children, elderly, and pregnant women—are struggling with hunger, displacement, and loss after devastating floods ravaged communities in Yola-South Local Government Area.
Also read: How Flood Killed 45, Displaced 171,545 In 13 states – NEMA
At the makeshift IDP camp in Yelewa Primary School, hundreds now sleep on classroom floors.
Alhaji Bello Pegi, one of the victims, told PUNCH Online that his home, livestock, and farm were all washed away.
“I’m now empty with no food, no house, and without my brothers,” he said, his voice breaking.
A young mother, nursing her four-month-old baby in a classroom corridor, recalled the night of the storm.
“I only stepped out to fetch water when the rain began. I had no idea it would end in pain,” she said.
The Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) reports that over 3,200 people are now displaced across two camps—2,394 in Yelewa and 929 in Namtari.
Relief materials, both consumables and non-consumables, have been delivered to the camps, with support from NGOs and health agencies.
Dr. Celine Laori, ADSEMA Executive Secretary, confirmed the relocation of IDPs from Namtari to Yelewa for better accommodation.
She noted that the government had earlier released ₦700 million for flood preparedness, which helped in the procurement of essential items.
However, challenges persist.
Dr. Suleiman Bashir, head of the Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, emphasised the urgent need for hygiene education and nutritional support.
“Nutrition must be our highest priority in Adamawa State,” he warned, noting limited coverage of therapeutic food for malnourished children.
He called on journalists and stakeholders to amplify hygiene and disease prevention messages, urging sustained public health education beyond emergencies.
As of now, the actual death toll remains unclear.
“Some of the figures out there are speculative,” Celine said, promising accurate numbers after the ongoing rescue efforts conclude.
The humanitarian crisis triggered by the flood is far from over.
Also read: Flood Removes Oyo Bridge, Residents Stranded
But amid the loss and trauma, there’s a rising call for sustained government and community action to protect the most vulnerable.
