Following recent flooding that devastated cocoa farms and disrupted livelihoods in parts of Cross River State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA) have carried out a joint damage and needs assessment in affected riverine communities in Etung Local Government Area.
The assessment is aimed at determining the extent of the destruction caused by the flooding and generating credible data to guide humanitarian assistance, recovery planning and government intervention for affected residents. It also seeks to identify the immediate needs of victims and support coordinated response efforts by relevant agencies and humanitarian partners.
The assessment, conducted on Thursday in collaboration with the Nigerian Red Cross Society, focused on evaluating the impact of the flooding on cocoa farmlands and the livelihoods of residents in the affected communities.
The team, led by the Acting Head of Operations of NEMA’s Akwa Ibom and Cross River Operations Office, Awoji Austin, and the Director-General of CR-SEMA, Efa Nyong, travelled by boat to the communities, which are accessible only by water.
The delegation first visited Itaka Community, where the Clan Head, Ntufam Patrick Eteta, commended the agencies for reaching the area despite the difficult terrain.
Eteta said the flooding had destroyed large portions of cocoa plantations—the community’s main source of livelihood—leaving many farming families facing severe economic hardship.
Speaking during the visit, Nyong said the assessment was intended to provide the Cross River State Government with firsthand information and credible data to support timely and appropriate intervention.
He assured residents of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods through continued collaboration with NEMA and other humanitarian partners.
Nyong also urged community members to promptly report disaster incidents and support initiatives aimed at reducing disaster risks.
Austin said the exercise formed part of a comprehensive damage and needs assessment designed to provide reliable information for humanitarian assistance and post-disaster recovery planning.
He assured residents that the findings of the assessment would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities to facilitate the necessary intervention.
The Disaster Management Officer of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Agbor Okim, sensitised residents on disaster preparedness, early reporting of emergencies and the importance of community participation in disaster risk reduction.
Similarly, CR-SEMA’s Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, Deipreye Obo, encouraged residents to strengthen community preparedness and remain vigilant as the rainy season intensifies.
The assessment team later visited Mkpot Community, where the Clan Head, Ntufam Innocent Akim, also commended the agencies for undertaking the difficult journey to assess the impact of the flooding.
The team inspected flood-ravaged cocoa farms and interacted with affected farmers to determine the scale of the damage and guide future humanitarian intervention.