WRITTEN BY EJIKE ABANA
The Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke and a joint team comprising the Nigeria Army, Red Cross and State Emergency Management Agency,

have conducted on the spot needs assessment of Emergency Shelter Centers in Anambra East and Ogbaru Council Areas of Anambra State.
Some facilities inspected were mainly toilet facilities, source of water supply and general hygiene.
Other members of the inspection team are the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Akabuike and his Works counterpart, Engineer Marcel Ikejiofor, among others.

Places visited include, General Hospital Umueri, Father Joseph High School, Aguleri, Unity Primary School Umuoba Anam, the Anambra East Council Headquarters, Central School Odekpe, among others.

They also visited the Otuocha market along the river bank where it was discovered that the water level is rising speedily, inspite of that people of the area were busy trading their goods.
At Ogbaru Naval Post, the team observed that the water level has significantly risen as some buildings are on the verge of being submerged, while most residents are yet to leave for the emergency shelters provided by the state government.
The Deputy Governor Dr Okeke reminded the inhabitants of flood prone areas in the State of urgent need to relocate to avoid loss of lives, as State government is making frantic efforts to make things easier for them.
Dr Okeke appreciated the Eighty Two Division of the Nigerian Army for sending their team for needs assessment and intervention and called for more.
The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chukwulobelu who confirmed that the Federal Government has provided some items such as beans, beverages, cement, among others, called for more intervention by the federal government and well meaning citizens to ensure conducive living environment for the displaced persons, as according to him, no intervention is too much.
Some persons at the camp who spoke to the ABS, expressed optimism that government will help reduce their plight as their farms have been destroyed by the flood.
The State Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross , Professor Peter Kachi said that about five local government areas have been affected so far, as State government is making efforts to cushion the effect of the flood by ordering for more relief materials.
According to report by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency earlier this year, about fourteen local government areas are at high risk of flooding in Anambra, as a result of which the State government designated about twenty eight emergency shelter centres which are located in Anambra West, Anambra East, Awka North, and Ogbaru.
Others are in Ihiala, Awka South and Ekwusigo Council Areas.