If a disaster of this magnitude had struck China, President Xi Jinping and members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Politburo would have been on-site for an immediate assessment. Convoys of vehicles laden with provisions and medical supplies would have swiftly reached the disaster area. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would have been mobilized to provide support and relief to the victims, with plans for evacuating and resettling displaced populations in neighboring regions. Post-disaster recovery plans, including resettlement and rehabilitation, would have been activated, along with discussions on prevention mechanisms and disaster response strategies. The CPC would have initiated a national appeal fund to provide relief without corruption or mismanagement, ensuring that any wrongdoers were held accountable.
DIFFERENT STANDARDS IN NIGERIA
In Nigeria, however, the response to such disasters appears markedly different. The reaction to the recent catastrophic floods in Maiduguri seems to be too little, too late, and delivered reluctantly. The extensive impact of the disaster, which has affected a city of nearly four million people, underscores the shortcomings in Nigeria’s disaster management and response.
DISASTER IMPACT IN MAIDUGURI
On September 10, 2024, Maiduguri was struck by severe flooding, echoing a similar event from September 1994. The flood’s indiscriminate suffering is overwhelming, with residents like my childhood friends, Shettima Usman Marte and Mustapha Bukar Shuaib, having to abandon their homes and seek shelter in inadequate conditions. The flood’s devastating effects have displaced millions, including the Shehu of Borno and the city’s most humble inhabitants.
PERSONAL OBSERVATION
Having visited Maiduguri recently, I witnessed the scale of the devastation firsthand. My tour included various key areas of the city, from government buildings and military barracks to educational and research institutions. The overwhelming sight of the city under water and the trauma experienced by its residents highlight the urgent need for improved disaster response and management strategies in Nigeria.