The media organisations in Nigeria have set up an initiative to mobilise local and international support for residents of Maiduguri, Damask, and Bagga local government areas of Borno state following severe flooding in the state.
Penpushing reports that the humanitarian support was initiated by, Chief Executive Officer of RadioNow, Kadria Ahmed who brought together media outlets, including Premium Times, This Day Newspaper, Daar Communications, Channels TelevisionV,, Tozali Television, Voice of Nigeria(VON), Women Radio, Family Love FM and Penpushing Media among others..
The platform seeks to strategise, coordinate and enhance the coverage of the flood’s impact with concern in supporting affected communities, raising public awareness about the disaster and mobilising humanitarian aid for victims.
Penpushing further reports that the Chief Adviser for Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Aid in Borno State, Mairo Mandara, made an urgent call for intervention as floods continue to wreak havoc across Maiduguri, Damasak, and Bagga.
The Chief Adviser during the virtual meeting with the media executives on Wednesday, highlighted the deteriorating conditions of displaced residents, including severe food shortages, lack of rescue vehicles, and the overcrowding of unsanitary camps.
Penpushing also reports that Mandara pointed out an lamented that the situation in Borno state is bad; adding that people are still trapped, with no access to food and a shortage of high vehicles and choppers.
The Chief Adviser for Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Aid while speaking emphasised the dire public health risks due to the poor living conditions in the camps, urging swift action to prevent a health crisis.
Penpushing reports that the media executives in response proposed several immediate measures, including the creation of a real-time WhatsApp situation room to track the flood’s impact and deliver updates, in efforts to mitigate the crisis.
The media leader in same vein plan to launch unified radio and digital campaigns to solicit donations and direct the public to verified donation channels, while the group in addition intends to leverage social media influencers to amplify the crisis using targeted hashtags.
Penpushing further reports that the coalition equally committed to framing the floods as a national emergency to attract more attention from both the federal government and international aid agencies and pledged to continue their coverage and support for the victims as the crisis unfolds.
Meanwhile, it is on record that the floods, which have submerged large portions of Maiduguri and surrounding areas, have displaced thousands, while as at the time of filing this report floodwaters have begun to recede in some areas, the need for immediate relief remains critical
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