The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has deployed a medical team to provide essential healthcare services to vulnerable populations affected by the recent devastating flooding in Mokwa, Niger State, with special focus on children and pregnant women.

Teresa Pamma, UNICEF's Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) specialist, explained that the intervention primarily aims to support children traumatized by the disaster while ensuring affected residents have access to critical healthcare services to prevent disease outbreaks following the flooding.

"The medical team will also provide specialized care for pregnant women to ensure they receive necessary services to prevent infection and promote maternal health," Pamma stated.

Government Commends Relief Efforts

Niger State Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, who visited resettlement areas in Mokwa town, expressed gratitude to UNICEF and other organizations for their prompt response to the flooding incident.

"On behalf of Governor Umaru Bago, I want to commend you (UNICEF) and other organisations for your interventions and support to our people. We will not take this for granted. Right from when the incident took place, you were proactive and you are very much on ground. We commend you," Garba said.

The Deputy Governor also urged UNICEF to exercise patience with the affected population, noting that many victims remain traumatized and require psychological support and guidance.

Rising Death Toll and Wider Impact

The Mokwa flood has had devastating consequences, with reports indicating the death toll has surpassed 200 people. Recent updates confirm that seven more bodies have been recovered as search and rescue operations continue.

The disaster has also raised concerns about potential fuel scarcity in Abuja and Northern Nigeria, prompting reactions from petroleum marketers' associations PETROAN and IPMAN.

As relief efforts continue, the Niger State Speaker has urged victims not to take the law into their hands, while political figures including Peter Obi have expressed sympathy to the state government and flood victims.

Meanwhile, the Taraba State Assembly has passed the first reading of a bill for a climate change university, highlighting growing concerns about environmental disasters in the region.