By Sam Kaye
The Borno state government has commenced resettling people earlier displaced by Alau Dam flood, closing temporary shelter camps established to provide succour during the flood which hit many parts of the state capital, causing mass destruction and death
A source within the Borno health sector partners told Krestnews.com that closure and merger of camps have started today, Wednesday September 18 to enable people return to their homes since the water has subsided considerably.
He said that the government made this decision to discourage residents not affected coming to swell the camps and creating tension for those who are already traumatized by the tragedy.
” All camps (apart from Gubio, Bakasi and Teachers Village) will be closed by Thursday 19th September 2024. Gubio, Bakasi and Teachers Village will continue to operate for the next one week, or 2 weeks maximum,” he hinted.
In another development, the Borno State Government is providing N10,000 one pay-off, 25kg of rice and 1 carton of spaghetti per individual IDP affected by the flood tragedy to go home.
“Families without a place to relocate to will temporarily be moved to Gubio, Bakasi and Teachers Village camps.
“The government will, on eventual closure of Gubio, Bakasi and Teachers Village, give N100,000 to each IDP family for recovery.” He said.
On mapping and assessments, the source noted that the government is conducting a mapping and assessment exercise of areas that were damaged by the floods to guide the plans to relocate some of the affected IDPs when the 3 camps are eventually closed.
” Humanitarian partners are conducting similar assessments. The exercise must be coordinated with the government on the drivers seat.
Additionally ” the world health organization (WHO) pointed out that the mapping should carefully be done in consideration of the upcoming cholera vaccination in Borno.
“WHO has actually received 500,000 doses of cholera vaccine to be administered in the general area where the flood affected.”
The Borno government has stooped direct distribution of cash and non food items (NFIs) to IDPs by humanitarian partners.
Instead, partners are urged to share with the government the stock of NFIs and cash that they would like to distribute to IDPs, then, the government will consolidate and distribute same.
Data and information management
Henceforth, all data will be consolidated and shared out by the government.
Meanwhile the Commissioner of information Usman Tar has said that about 40 percent of the camps have received their palliatives and would be expected to go home soon.