Diary of the Benue Flood 2: Pregnant women sleep on bare floor

 
1. The day started with breakfast by 8:30 am.
2. At 10 am, we attended a meeting to prepare a response to expression of interest to render support requested by some international organizations. Template of the request was completed and submitted. We await their response.
3. The Volunteer Team held another meeting with coordinators of the five Idye communities (Idye-Nenger, Idye-Dogo, Idye-Ihyundu, Idye-Naor and Idye-Ibi). These coordinators were delegated by the Idye Chief, Zaki Pius Ayila, to assist us in coordinating the flood victims. At commencement of our intervention, the coordinators led us through the affected areas and also helped us identify genuine victims, as well as ascertain property destroyed. The aim of the meeting was to officially notify them about the closure of the Care Centre and also brainstorm with them implementation strategy in the second phase of our intervention. The meeting agreed to request the Idye Chief to designate a meeting point within Idye community where relief materials will be shared to victims.
4. At 2 pm, the team arrived the IM Camp to carry out needs assessment. Our assessment revealed the following:
i. Rice provided by NEMA was shared to victims but they have not been able to cook the rice because it was shared without condiments.
ii. There are no stoves to engage cooking. A certain organization supplied 9 stoves but only 8 are working. Due to this stark dearth in supply of stoves, the 545 families took turns cooking.
iii. As at 4 pm when we left the camp, about 95% of the victims had not tasted a meal. At this time, cooked rice was supplied but served to children only, and the quantity served per child was a piece-drop.
iv. Due to inadequate supply of water at the camp, victims have been defecating behind the stores stinking some parts of the camp.
v. About 98% of the victims sleep on bare floor due to inadequate supply of mattresses/mats.
vi. No mosquito nets and blankets.
vii. Some pregnant women were also sighted sleeping on bare floor.
5. Based on these observations, we identified the following needs:
a. Condiments
b. Mattresses
c. Mats
d. Blankets
e. Mosquito nets
f. Stoves
6. Based on the needs identified above, we have decided to cover the gaps by supplying the following:
a. 3 bags of salt
b. 5 bags of star maggi
c. 10 cartons of sachet tomato
d. 10 cartons of power oil
e. 2 bags of onions
f. 2 bags of garri (for quick fix of the stomach)
g. 2 bags of sugar
h. 100 mats
i. 100 mosquito nets
j. 50 blankets
k. Mattresses (as many as the funds provided for mattresses by … can take)
l. 50 abacha stoves
m. 10 bags of charcoal, and
n. 1 carton of matches
7. NTA visited …
8. The last meal was served at 6 pm. Prior to the meal, the victims were informed about the closure of the Care Centre and plan for the second phase of intervention. Their opinion was sought: they applauded the new direction of intervention in chorus. Responding on Behalf of the victims, Manasseh Hange, who coordinates Idye-Nenger community, thanked the team and the donors for rising to their needs and prayed that God replenish and reward you justly.
9. The team proceeded to meeting with the chief of Idye kindred. Following are highlights if the meeting.
a. We notified him of the closure of the Care Centre and the intervention plan in the second phase.
b. He thanked (those) who provided relief to his people.
c. He designated a central place in the community where relief materials will be shared to victims.
d. In event we are able to afford to pay a construction company to open up the canal, he has offered to lead the community in seeking government’s approval. Recall that this project was conceived as a short-term approach towards addressing the propensity of the flood reoccurring.
10. Tomorrow (Day 7), we will hit the market in groups, covering various markets (Modern, North-Bank and Wadata) to purchase various items, listed herein.
In this regard, we appeal to any member who has a truck, van or any other big vehicle not in urgent use tomorrow, to kindly assist us in transporting the goods.
11. We got a total donation of N60,000 from two donors.
Thank you for your donations.