Fire consumes 1,200 homes at Internally Displaced Persons Camp
A mysterious fire outbreak has consumed about 1,200 homes at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Gajiram village, Nganzai local government area of Borno State, rendering at least 7200 inmates homeless.
Penpushing reports that, Chairperson of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Yabawa Kolo, who confirmed the incident, said the fire which occurred on October 24 gutted the entire camp.
The Chairperson pointed out that the incident was the latest in a “series of the annual fire outbreaks” that occur in Gajiram camp,noting that the fire disaster occurs every year “due to the lifestyle of the people”.
“Most of the local people cook their meals in the open space outside their tents during the dry season. And when the wind blows toward the direction, the shelters are easily razed by fire.,she said”
Penpushing further reports that, Kolo said her agency has conducted “a rapid assessment” and provided relief materials to the victims, adding, “we found out that a total of 1200 households were affected,”
“SEMA has obtained the approval of the state governor to deliver relief items to the affected persons. We had on Sunday delivered 25kg each of rice, beans, maize to the 1200 households who were also given mosquito nets and blankets’, she stated.
“We have also received N3 million from the Senator representing Borno North, and N1.5 million donation from Honorable Muhammed Monguno, the member representing Monguno, Nganzai and Guzamala federal constituency,” she added.
