Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State expressed his sincere appreciation to a delegation from Switzerland for their unwavering support, especially in the wake of the recent catastrophic floods.
During a meeting at the Governor's Office in Government House Yola, Governor Fintiri highlighted the invaluable contributions of Swiss organisations, including the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the International Organization for Migration, in providing crucial aid to those impacted by both the ongoing insurgency and the displacement of communities.
"Your unwavering commitment to alleviating suffering has been a lifeline for many within our state", Governor Fintiri stated.
Governor Fintiri detailed the catastrophic impact of last year's floods, which tragically affected 52,000 individuals, resulting in the destruction of 13,944 homes and 10,722 hectares of farmland. He further highlighted the significant damage to critical infrastructure, including 14 bridges and seven culverts, severely disrupting transportation and communication networks.
"The floods have placed an immense strain on our education and healthcare systems, leaving countless individuals displaced and facing an uncertain future," Governor Fintiri stated.
"We greatly value the expertise of the Swiss government, particularly in disaster risk reduction. Your innovative approaches will be instrumental in guiding us through these challenging times."
Governor Fintiri outlined the state's key priorities for flood prevention, highlighting the necessity of robust early warning systems to provide communities with timely alerts and enable proactive responses.
He also emphasised the importance of improved infrastructure, such as resilient dams and efficient drainage systems, to effectively mitigate flood risks.
Furthermore, the governor stressed the need to enhance community resilience through comprehensive awareness campaigns, targeted training programmes, and the implementation of robust community-based disaster response plans.
He emphasised the importance of improved data collection and analysis, utilising advanced technology to gain a deeper understanding of flood patterns, identify vulnerable areas, and develop precisely targeted interventions.
Governor Fintiri strongly emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in flood risk assessment, effective disaster management, and capacity-building programmes for local communities. He also called for the initiation of pilot projects and the exploration of innovative flood prevention solutions, while simultaneously seeking out diverse funding sources to support these vital initiatives.
The Deputy Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Siamak Rouhani, accompanied by Nicolas Dartiu-Achard and Dr. Valeria Hutter, acknowledged the recurring devastation caused by floods in Adamawa State.
He stated that each year, floods tragically claim lives and destroy property in Adamawa.
Mr. Rouhani stated.that they were in the state to engage in meaningful discussions on how the Swiss government can effectively provide technical support to mitigate the state's challenges.