The flooding in Nigeria “is overwhelming,” says bishop 

At least 50,000 Christians have been directly affected by the flooding in Maiduguri in northern Nigeria, though the actual numbers could be far higher. ACN is committed to helping the local diocese and requesting donations and prayers from its benefactors. 

The devastating floods in the northern Nigerian city of Maiduguri are the worst in at least three decades, according to Auxiliary Bishop John Bakeni of the local diocese. Although official numbers are still being determined, at least one million people have been directly affected, he told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).  

The vast majority of the residents of Maiduguri are Muslim, but the state has an active and significant Christian minority, including Catholics. The Diocese of Maiduguri estimates that rising waters have affected at least 22,989 Catholics from 3,601 households, in six parishes in the worst-hit areas. The actual numbers, however, could be much worse: “These are the figures we confirm from the parish registers. Thousands have yet to be accounted for.” The diocese estimates that a further 30,000 Christians from other denominations are in an equally difficult situation.  

“The flood’s unprecedented scale has presented challenges beyond our previous experiences, as more than half of the city is underwater. Many lives, properties, and livelihoods have been lost,” said the bishop. Several Church properties have been damaged by the water, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the diocesan secretariat. 

“Efforts are ongoing by government and relevant agencies to evacuate and resettle residents in the affected areas, while efforts are also on the way to ensure the provision of food, shelter, and medical assistance. I must say that the situation is overwhelming,” Bishop John also said, in a damage report sent to ACN International. 

Due to improvements in security, the IDP camps that were used for victims of Boko Haram violence had gradually been shut down by the government in recent years. But they have been re-opened to accommodate the flood victims. 

“The urgent needs, for now, are food, medical items, and temporary shelter,” said Bishop John, adding that the authorities are preparing for possible outbreaks of diseases, such as cholera, malaria, and diarrhea, not to mention other dangers. “The flood waters are now a cocktail of hazards: pathogens from decomposing bodies, waste water from the hospitals, gutters, wildlife from the zoo, broken glass, and exposed iron rods. We are creating awareness and enlightening our people, especially our young ones, to stop entering the flood waters.” 

ACN’s head of projects for Nigeria, Kinga Schierstaedt, expressed deep sorrow: “ACN is deeply saddened by what is happening in Maiduguri and is praying for all the victims of this catastrophe. Many members of the Christian community had just managed to rebuild their lives after losing everything to terrible violence and religious persecution, and now, to see the floodwaters take everything away again is heartbreaking. The foundation is committed to supporting them and will not leave them alone in their time of need.”  

The flooding in Nigeria was first caused by heavy rainfall at the end of August. The rising waters put extra stress on the Alau Dam, whose spillways collapsed on September 8th, submerging over 40 percent of the city of Maiduguri.  

ACN is committed to helping the Diocese of Maiduguri and the affected Christians in the region through the provision of immediate relief and assistance. Benefactors are also asked to pray for the safety of all the people in Maiduguri. “While asking for your earnest prayers at this critical time, we also appeal for financial support to enable the diocese to support the victims of flood across the diocese. We solicit special prayers for families and all those affected by the flood, for God’s strength and consolation,” Bishop John Bakeni said.