A devastating windstorm accompanied by torrential rainfall has claimed four lives and destroyed 1,637 mud houses across seven local government areas in Yobe State since May 9, according to state emergency officials.

Dr. Muhammad Goje, Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), revealed these figures while briefing journalists in Damaturu on Thursday. The affected local government areas include Bursari, Damaturu, Fika, Fune, Gulani, Potiskum, and Tarmuwa.

The natural disaster has left 92 people with varying degrees of injuries and affected 5,022 individuals from 1,264 households. Additionally, 83 households comprising 368 individuals have been displaced from their homes.

"A total of 48 communities were affected, with Fika being the worst hit," Goje stated.

Relief Efforts Underway

In response to the crisis, YOSEMA has partnered with Action Against Hunger (ACF) and received support from the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) to distribute life-saving relief materials to 566 households in Fika and Potiskum local government areas.

According to Goje, a joint needs assessment conducted by SEMA and ACF prioritized the most vulnerable families who had lost their homes and essential belongings and were in urgent need of hygiene services.

Mohammed Kingimi, ACF's WASH Project Manager, has affirmed the organization's commitment to further assist the victims based on resource availability.

"ACF is also preparing to roll out Food Security and Livelihood support for the same 566 households to enhance their recovery," Goje added.

The executive secretary reiterated the state government's commitment to protecting vulnerable communities through proactive emergency response initiatives as the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of the disaster.

This incident highlights the increasing vulnerability of communities in Nigeria's northeastern states to extreme weather events, which experts have linked to climate change patterns affecting the Sahel region.

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