Hundreds killed in Nigeria floods, more than 1.4 million displaced
As the country’s largest city, Lagos was the epicentre of the 2017 flooding, with close to 600 people killed, and 1.4 million people displaced.
Floods and storms are a regular feature in Nigeria, with a decade of neglect for flood risks. The country has suffered more than 1,000 recorded natural disasters in the last 100 years.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) have set up a recovery council, with its headquarters in Abuja, to coordinate the disaster response.
It is working closely with the Nigerian Red Cross (NRC) to prepare for future disasters.
The floods have forced more than 1.4 million people from their homes, and destroyed crops.
Saving the lives of the victims was at the top of a Fidesz government spokesperson’s list of priorities.
“I am pleased to say that the situation in Lagos has been restored to a level that is acceptable for the international community and Nigerian people,” Zoltán Balog, a ministry official, said on Tuesday.
“It is expected that the situation in Lagos will get normalised tomorrow morning,” he was quoted as saying by the Reuters news agency.
FEMA is trying to trace the source of the flooding.
Officials say a combination of monsoon rains, tropical storms and an unusually high tide were to blame for the disaster.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Sewerage Affairs (MWRSA), whose headquarters are in Lagos, have set up a committee for recovery coordination. Its chairman is former Deputy President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Its aim is to coordinate recovery efforts and ensure the best possible response for the future.
FEMA has offered to share equipment and expertise to the committee.
Saving the victims
The committee is due to meet next week.
“The committee will be responsible for ensuring that the best possible response is given to both the victims and their families,” Balog said.
“The committee will ensure that all necessary steps are taken by both government and non-government organisations to assist the victims, particularly in terms of
