The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has donated N640 million to assist flood victims in Borno and Bauchi states. Each state is set to receive N320 million to support recovery efforts following recent flood disasters.
The donation was announced by ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Abuja on Thursday.
During the visit, Prof. Sarr conveyed condolences from Dr. Touray to Nigeria’s President and ECOWAS Chairman, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as to the people of Nigeria. She acknowledged the devastating impact of the floods, which claimed lives, displaced communities, and caused property damage worth trillions of Naira.
Prof. Sarr praised the swift response of the Nigerian government to the disaster and reiterated ECOWAS’ commitment to supporting Nigeria and other member states in the face of such crises. She highlighted the region’s vulnerability to climate change, stressing that extreme weather events like floods continue to destabilize communities and weaken their coping mechanisms.
“The ECOWAS Commission stands firmly with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in these difficult periods,” Sarr stated. She emphasized that the funds would primarily address the urgent needs of women, children, and other vulnerable groups requiring food, shelter, sanitation, and health services.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Abel Enitan, expressed gratitude to ECOWAS, assuring that the funds would be used effectively to aid affected communities in Borno and Bauchi. “This donation is a testament to ECOWAS’ solidarity and unwavering support for Nigeria,” Enitan remarked.
