FEMA: Flood, Fire Disasters Claimed 12 Lives, Affected 1,793 Persons in 2023

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has said 12 people lost their lives, while 1,793 others were affected as floods, building collapses and fire outbreaks caused damages in the territory in 2023.

The Acting Director, FEMA, Mohammed Sabo disclosed this Wednesday while briefing journalists on activities of the agency.

He disclosed that the breakdown of search and rescue activities in 2023 showed that 1, 373 lives were rescued from various flood disasters while four lives were, however, lost.

Sabo said the lives saved were through 24 calls on FEMA’s toll free number to which the agency responded accordingly. He said 173 lives were saved from building collapse while six persons died in the incident.

On fire outbreaks, 247 lives were saved from five calls through the 112 toll free number; two lives persons lost their lives. He also revealed that, the humanitarian activities impacted about 400 vulnerable residents of the FCT.

“Torrential rainfall in Yangoji/ Shafi community of Kwali Area Council displaced over 200 households and destroyed 25 farmlands,” Sabo said.

He added that FEMA, in collaboration with the Turkish Foundation, UFUK dialogue, distributed various food items to 200 vulnerable households to enable them celebrate the eid-el-Kabir.

Sabo also said in 2024, the agency would partner with the National Defence College,(NDC) on the training of volunteers.

“We have already communicated the NDC to this effect and we are awaiting a response from them. The training is to equip our volunteers with basic and professional rescue skills.

“We also intend to organize a blood drive for the military, using our volunteers. The aim of the blood drive is to show support and solidarity for their efforts at keeping the nation safe” he said.