ActionAid Nigeria has emphasized the need for rigorous monitoring and evaluation of the N3 billion allocated for flood victims in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The organization stressed that collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and volunteers is vital to ensure that aid distribution remains both efficient and transparent.
The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, through Deputy Country Director, Suwaiba Dankabo, praised the swift response of federal and state governments but underscored the importance of accountability to maintain public trust.
Dankabo highlighted the severe impact of the floods, which have displaced over 207,000 people and caused significant loss of life and property.
She urged immediate and effective use of the allocated funds to address the urgent needs of those affected, noting the critical nature of both speed and integrity in the aid process.
The floods have devastated 28 states, leading to 175 deaths and extensive displacement, with Borno and neighbouring regions suffering particularly.
In Maiduguri alone, the disaster has claimed 37 lives and displaced nearly 400,000 people, compounding the challenges in areas already struggling with poverty and conflict.
ActionAid is on the ground, working with partners to provide emergency relief, including food, clean water, and hygiene supplies.
Special attention is being given to the needs of women and children, who are disproportionately affected and at heightened risk of gender-based violence and exploitation.
The organization is also addressing the risks of disease outbreaks by prioritizing clean water access, sanitation, and healthcare services.
Dankabo emphasized that aid must be people-centred, preserving the dignity of displaced individuals and ensuring that all interventions are responsive to their specific needs.
ActionAid’s approach advocates for empathy and respect in aid distribution, urging that every step of the relief effort maintains the dignity and rights of the survivors.