Nigerian cities damaged by floods have recovered quickly. Local people’s credit community spirit

Abuja, Nigeria (AP) – Elizabeth Felix, standing in the main market in Maiduguri, occupies a bustling scene: traders set up stalls, clients bargain, the bright colors of stacked fabrics and shoes, fresh produce mixed with rich aromas.

This is a clear difference from the situation where the market was flooded six months ago. Rain has swept across Central and West Africa, causing devastating flooding in the worst climate change impacts seen in decades in the region.

“This is the worst moment of my life,” the 43-year-old fish trader said. Her shop was flooded with 2 million naira ($1,332) of merchandise being swept away. “I lost everything,” she said.

Maiduguri, the capital of fragile northern Nigeria Borno, has been at the center of Islamic extremist insurgency since 2009, is one of the popular areas. Dozens of lives were killed, thousands were displaced, markets were destroyed, roads were broken, and the city's Sanda Kyarimi Zoo lost nearly 80% of its animals.

The flood was triggered by weeks of continuous rainfall and collapse of nearby dams, which left 15% of the city underwater, swallowing the entire community and severely worsening existing insurgent-induced humanitarian conditions.

Facing the odds, the city has made significant progress in recovering from disaster. At least seven roads have been restored, including Fori Road, including Fori Road, whose nearby photos have been submerged in floods that are widely circulated in the media. The success of local residents and officials comes down to full financial support and the resilience of the people in the community who once gathered together during difficult times after years of political uncertainty and security issues.

Borno Geographic Information Services Executive Secretary Adam Bababe said more than 18 billion naira ($12 million) were awarded to more than 100,000 households affected by the flood. He said another 4.3 billion naira ($2.8 million) from UN agencies and other partners helped with the relief efforts. He said.

But the government's reaction did not appear immediately, and in the days that followed, the official camps were only open to displaced families. As official aid took the time to mobilize, young people stepped in to help.

“My friends and I got together to donate clothes and cooking materials for those who lost their homes and shop owners in less affected areas, providing shelter for the shelter until three days later the government established a formal camp,” said local resident Ijasini Ijani.

Media professional Lawan Maigana quickly formed a team of young volunteers and used his Facebook presence to raise millions of naira, which mainly finances affected people, mainly women, children and the elderly.

In a severely damaged area trapped and unable to cook on their own, the team in Macana began cooking and delivered it using military-provided canoes.

Thanks to friends and family, fish businessman Felix raised enough money to restart her business. “My business is back, and in fact, it's better than last year,” she said.

Ijani said more than a decade of rebellion helped the city develop resilience and develop a sense of community solidarity. “People quickly kept moving forward and helped each other. Even in the days that followed, people went out and worked hard to trade and live a normal life,” he said.

Maiduguri's recovery is beyond the reopening of the market, infrastructure repairs or families receiving relief assistance.

Zoo manager Ali Abacha Don Best said Sanda Kyarimi Park has also returned to normal. “Many (animals) were killed and some escaped, including crocodiles and snakes,” he said.

For 19-year-old Alai Bakura, the zoo’s revival marks the joy of returning to childhood during Muslims’ Eid celebrations and his friend’s birthday.

“I'm glad to be able to use it again after the zoo was reopened after the flood. I'm glad to enjoy it as much as before,” Bakura said.

Reconstruction of the collapsed dam was officially launched Saturday as part of a long-term restoration effort. The Nigerian government said the project will complete two phases within 24 months and will cost N80 billion (USD 53 million).

When it is fully completed in 2027, the dam will support expanded irrigation channels to improve agriculture and water supply. Water Resources Minister Joseph Utsev said the first phase between March and September will focus on emergency rehabilitation to prevent future flooding.

“We have fought in the Boko Haram era and we survived the flood,” said Felix, a fish merchant. “With the help of the Lord, we continue to move forward.”

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