The Federal Government of Nigeria has received 50 tonnes of humanitarian aid from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to assist internally displaced persons affected by recent floods across the country.

The relief items arrived at the Cargo wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday at around 2:40 p.m.

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It was gathered that officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) were present to receive the aid.

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UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Alshamsi, officially handed over the items, stating that the donation was part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to support nations impacted by natural disasters.

The gesture, he explained, was made under the directive of the UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed Al Nahyan, to alleviate the hardship caused by the floods in Nigeria.

“The UAE, as usual, is always helping nations affected by natural disasters. So we are happy to be here,” Alshamsi said.

Receiving the items, Dr Ahmed Dunoma, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commended the government and people of UAE for supporting Nigeria at this crucial time.

Dunoma described the donation as unprecedented, adding that it showed the kind of excellent relationship Nigeria had with the UAE.

“We want to seize this opportunity to on behalf of Mr President to convey the appreciation of Nigerian government and her people, to the President and the people of UAE.

“We believe that this will go a long way in ameliorating the sufferings of the people affected by this recent flood,” he said.

Dunoma said that the items would be distributed to Nigerians affected by the floods.

The Director -General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said that the relief materials would immediately be distributed to Borno and other states affected by flood, once cleared.

“This does not only symbolise our partnership, but also a support at this dire time where so many areas of Nigeria have been flooded.

“This will not only stop in Maiduguri. As of yesterday, parts of Enugu State were also being flooded. So we are going to target all areas, even Kaduna was slightly flooded two days ago.

“So we are going to target thewhole country. I am sure that is what the government of UAE also wants us to do,” she said.

According to NEMA, 29 states and 172 local government areas have been hit by flooding, affecting 1,048,312 people, displacing 625,239, and resulting in 259 deaths between April to September 2024.