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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Benin Operations Office, has conducted a joint assessment of communities affected by an ocean surge disaster in Abarabebe, Ogulagha and Obuguru communities of Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State.
The assessment followed a distress call received through the Delta State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) from the Ijaw Youth Council. The team was received by the Chairman of Burutu Local Government Area, Hon. Julius Takeme, who led officials to the affected communities.
The assessment revealed that 627 households were affected by the disaster, with 329 houses partially damaged and 298 completely destroyed. The ocean surge also washed away three churches and displaced 3,762 persons, many of whom have sought refuge with relatives and host communities in neighbouring villages.
The team further observed extensive damage to jetties and existing shoreline protection barriers, leaving the affected communities more vulnerable to flooding, coastal erosion and future ocean surges.
NEMA expressed sympathy to the affected residents and assured them that the findings of the assessment would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities to facilitate the necessary humanitarian intervention. The Agency reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Delta State Government and other stakeholders to support affected communities and strengthen disaster risk reduction efforts
