Flooding: Amasiri Community Appeals For Urgent Government Intervention

By George Uchendu, Abakaliki

Residents of Amasiri community in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have appealed to the state and federal governments for urgent intervention following a devastating flood that ravaged farmlands and residential areas, destroying properties worth millions of naira and threatening the livelihoods of many families.

A resident of the community, Okochi Chukwu, said the latest flooding affected several farming settlements, including Ozara Ndukwe, Ozara Amauro and Ozara Ezeke, with Elu Umahi particularly hard-hit by the destruction of agricultural produce.

According to him, rice, yam and cassava farms were completely destroyed, leaving farmers facing substantial financial losses and raising concerns about food security and their ability to sustain their families.

Chukwu said the disaster extended beyond farmlands to residential areas, including Amaechara Ezeke, Amaoko Ohaechara, Ndegwu Poperi and Ezi Egwu Ohaechara, where several properties and household belongings were reportedly damaged.

“The latest flooding, which ravaged several residential areas in the community, destroyed properties worth millions of naira. Several families have lost valuable belongings and other essential means of livelihood,” he said.

He added that the disaster had plunged affected households into hardship, leaving many residents uncertain about their future, their families’ welfare and their ability to recover from the losses.

In response to the situation, Chukwu appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to urgently visit the affected communities, assess the extent of the destruction and provide emergency assistance to victims.

He called for immediate humanitarian support, including food supplies, relief materials, temporary shelter for displaced households where necessary, and financial and agricultural assistance to help affected families rebuild their lives.

Chukwu also appealed to Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, relevant government officials, elected representatives, community leaders, philanthropists and other well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of residents during the difficult period.

He stressed that farmers needed urgent support to recover from their losses and resume agricultural activities, while households whose homes and properties had been affected required assistance to restore stability and rebuild their livelihoods.

“As a people, we cannot bear this burden alone. We therefore appeal to all relevant authorities and compassionate Nigerians to respond swiftly to this humanitarian crisis,” he said.

Chukwu expressed hope that timely intervention would provide relief to affected residents, restore hope to struggling families and prevent the disaster from further worsening the community’s economic and social conditions.

He further urged the relevant emergency management agencies to deploy assessment teams to the affected areas without delay to determine the full extent of the damage and identify the immediate needs of victims.

“The people of Amasiri need help, hope and urgent intervention. We appeal to the government and all well-meaning Nigerians not to abandon our community in this moment of distress,” he said.

The community expressed hope that government agencies and other concerned stakeholders would respond promptly to the appeal and provide the necessary support to help affected families recover from the disaster.