October 19,2022

Flood victims at the internally displaced camps in Anambra State are lamenting the poor conditions of the holding camps.

The PUNCH learnt it has been close to two weeks since they moved into the designated camps and supervising agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency have yet to bring food, thereby forcing them to feed once a day through individual donations.

Apart from hunger, the victims said they also battle mosquito bites every night.

Our correspondent, who visited some of the camps at Umuoba Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area, and CDC Umueri on Tuesday, observed that pregnant women and children as well as aged people slept on bare floors in the makeshift camps – a school block converted to holding camps, accommodating over 2,000 people, with broken windows, no mosquito nets, no source of water, no electricity or generating set

It was observed that the over 2,000 people were making use of only two convenience rooms with no borehole or arrangement for tankers to bring water for them.

A member of the IDPs in Umuoba Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area, identified as Mr. Emmanuel Okonkwor, expressed sadness over their condition, saying that they were yet to receive anything from the government or agency, except from individuals who brought money, which they used to buy condiments, kerosene, and firewood to make the food that people eat once a day.

Two victims from Anambra West, Mrs Philomena Ekwealor from Mmiata-Aban and Mrs Grace Ikem from Umueze Anam, appealed for urgent government assistance, especially in the provision of food and medical supplies, to avoid another record of death in the camps

Similarly, at another camp in CDC Umueri, the story was the same as the women and children clustered in a canopy waiting for beans that were on fire at about 3pm before they would eat their first and only meal for the day.

The camp coordinator in Umuoba Anam, Mr. Nonso Anizor, while confirming the pathetic situation, appealed to the government to urgently come to their rescue before an outbreak occurs in the area.

According to Anizor, the local government chairman had brought 30 foams and some food items, which he said were what the 2,750 people had been using.

“We have only three toilets for the 2,750 flood victims here; no water; no generator; no mosquito net; no public power supply; we put candle light for them at night,” he added.

The female President-General, Enugu-Otu Aguleri, Mrs. Juliana Iwuno, said it has not been easy in terms of food and shelter for them, noting that “Even the food stuff people are bringing, sharing it has been a very big problem for us. When you have about 1,000 people for one bag of rice, it’s not easy at all.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Committee on Flood, Dr Onyeka Ibezim, while recounting that this year’s flood was overwhelming, thanked churches and private individuals who have been donating items for the flood victims at various camps.

“The governor has been coming for their intervention. When it comes to medicals, drugs, and other things, I can say these are challenges that we tackle in real time.” the deputy governor added