The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it has evacuated 117 people from four medical facilities affected by the rising waters in Borno State.

In a statement on Monday in Abuja, Aliyu Dawobe, ICRC’s spokesman, said the cross also donated 150 body bags to the NRCS, the State Specialist Hospital, and the State Emergency Management Agency.

“A total of 117 people were evacuated from four medical facilities affected by the rising waters,” said Mr Dawobe, who disclosed that 414,000 people were affected by the flood.

According to him, Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) volunteers and staff have been involved in search and rescue operations in coordination with the ICRC.

He said they also carried out medical evacuations, gave first aid and reunited families separated by floodwaters and the safe and dignified management of dead bodies.

“Their teams have retrieved 22 dead bodies to date, while 76 children have been reunited with their families.

“The ICRC has also donated 150 body bags to the NRCS, the State Specialist Hospital, and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

“NRCS has launched hygiene promotion activities in three camps hosting flood-affected communities in coordination with the ICRC,’’ Mr Dawobe said.

Mr Dawobe said as part of a cholera preparedness drive, the ICRC was positioning contingency stock, including Aquatabs and chlorine powder, to respond.

“In the coming days, the ICRC, in close cooperation with the NRCS, will hand over essential household items to affected households, including mats, blankets, tarpaulins, kitchen kits, mosquito nets, buckets, jerry cans, soap, hygiene kits and loincloths,’’ he said.

According to him, the ICRC also assisted Niger, Cameroon and Chad to address their flood issues.

(NAN)