Flood-Hit Communities in Borno Demand Urgent Access to Clean Water and Sanitation

Communities devastated by the September 9, 2024 flood in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere Local Government Area of Borno State are calling for immediate assistance, particularly the provision of potable water, toilets, and sanitation equipment.

The disaster, triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam, left hundreds of thousands of residents in urgent need. The floods destroyed vital infrastructure, including water and sanitation facilities.

During a town hall meeting held in Maiduguri and organised by SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria (SOSCVN), community leaders, youth and women representatives, government officials, and other stakeholders gathered to assess the emergency response efforts and discuss a sustainable way forward.

The meeting emphasized the critical needs of the affected communities—especially access to safe drinking water, functional latrines, and sanitation tools—to curb open defecation and prevent waterborne diseases.

Sharing his experience, Bulama Modu, a community leader from Gangamari in Jere, spoke of the flood’s overwhelming impact. He described blocked water channels, damaged homes, and interruptions in children’s education.

He thanked SOS Children’s Villages and the Borno State Government for their support, which he said had brought much-needed relief and a sense of renewed hope.

Another leader, Bulama Jubrin, highlighted the severe water shortage and deteriorating hygiene in his community. According to him, residents often spend up to ₦2,000 per trip—sometimes twice a day—just to fetch water.

Also speaking, Aisha Ahmed from Almeskin II in Jere expressed concern over the prevalence of open defecation, which she attributed to a lack of toilets and the destruction of boreholes during the floods.

“One major reason open defecation has become so rampant is because both children and the elderly simply have no access to working toilets,” she said.

In response, Fredson Ogbeche, Humanitarian Manager at SOS Children’s Villages, announced that the organization would be installing three solar-powered, motorised boreholes and five gender-segregated toilet blocks in four communities: Galadima, Abba-Ganaram, Muna, and Almeskin II—spanning Maiduguri Metropolis and Jere.

Earlier, the National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, Mr. Eghosa Erhumwunse, said the project was part of a broader strategy to protect and empower vulnerable children and families affected by climate-related disasters.

He recalled the devastating flash floods that followed the Alau Dam collapse, displacing over 400,000 people and affecting more than one million across Borno State.

“In places like Jere, families were already recovering from years of conflict when the floods struck. Homes were washed away, livelihoods destroyed, and access to basic services became almost nonexistent,” he explained.

Erhumwunse noted that SOS Children’s Villages responded by providing displaced families with emergency relief, including food, education kits, cash assistance, and trauma-informed psychosocial support for children.

“The organisation has also launched long-term initiatives, such as youth entrepreneurship training and vocational support for caregivers. Many beneficiaries have received startup kits and direct grants to rebuild their businesses and restore lost livelihoods.

“But beyond these interventions, this town hall meeting gives us the opportunity to listen—to hear directly from the communities about their needs, their feedback, and their ideas for rebuilding stronger and more inclusively,” he added.

Leadership

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