In response to a deadly flood disaster that has claimed nearly 200 lives and displaced thousands in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has deployed a team of medical experts to provide urgent humanitarian support.
The intervention, which centers around healthcare and psychological support, is primarily targeted at women and children — the most vulnerable groups affected by the crisis. The flooding, which inundated several communities, left many without shelter and basic necessities, prompting immediate international attention.
Specialised Care for Women and Children
Speaking at the intervention camp set up in Mokwa, UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist, Teresa Pamma, emphasized that the priority is to deliver timely medical aid to pregnant women, children, and those emotionally impacted by the flood.
“UNICEF is here to ensure that survivors of the flood get the necessary medical help they can get, particularly pregnant women and infants,” said Pamma. “A lot of them are traumatised by this incident, so we must do whatever is necessary to ensure that they gradually recover from the trauma.”
Pamma explained that in addition to medical supplies, UNICEF is also providing recreational activities and psychosocial support for children in order to ease their emotional distress.
“We’re offering more than just medicine. Children are being engaged in supervised activities to help them momentarily escape the trauma of what they’ve experienced,” she added.
State Government Expresses Gratitude for Support
During a visit to the UNICEF camp, Niger State Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba praised the agency for its swift and sustained response. He acknowledged the proactive role UNICEF has played since the crisis unfolded.
“On behalf of Governor Mohammed Bago, I want to commend you and other organisations for your interventions and support to our people,” Garba stated. “Right from when the incident took place, you were proactive and you are very much on the ground. We commend you.”
He also appealed for continued patience and understanding, noting that many survivors remain deeply shaken and will require ongoing emotional and mental health support.
A Call for Continued Humanitarian Attention
The situation in Mokwa underscores the broader need for sustained humanitarian intervention in regions vulnerable to extreme weather events and limited healthcare access. With the rainy season still ongoing, experts warn of the risk of further outbreaks of disease if affected communities are not quickly stabilized.
UNICEF’s presence in Mokwa is part of its broader mandate to protect children in emergencies, particularly in fragile regions like Niger State, where climate-induced disasters continue to expose the limitations of local infrastructure and healthcare systems.
As relief efforts continue, calls are mounting for greater national and international support to strengthen the state’s disaster preparedness and resilience planning.