Baskadia

By David Asu

The Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA) has carried out an on-the-spot assessment following a devastating landslide at Ikot Anwatim Community in Calabar Municipality that claimed the lives of five persons and left two others hospitalized.

The assessment, conducted on Saturday, July 11, was led by the Director General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, in collaboration with the Disaster Management Unit of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

The incident, which occurred after heavy rainfall in the area, resulted in the death of four children and one adult, while one adult and one child sustained injuries and were immediately evacuated to a medical facility where they are currently receiving treatment.

Joining the Director General during the three-hour assessment were the Disaster Management Officer of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Mr. Agbor Okim, and the Head of Relief and Rehabilitation of CR-SEMA, Mrs. Preye Obo.

The team inspected the affected area, interacted with grieving families and community members, and assessed the extent of the damage caused by the landslide.

Speaking during the visit, the Director General of CR-SEMA, Mr. Efa Nyong, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and conveyed the sympathy of the Cross River State Government to the bereaved families.

He described the loss of lives, particularly that of the children, as heartbreaking and assured residents that Government would work with relevant stakeholders to provide necessary support to the affected families.

Mr. Nyong said the assessment was aimed at documenting the impact of the disaster to enable Government take informed decisions on appropriate humanitarian intervention and long-term risk reduction measures.

He urged residents living in landslide-prone and erosion-prone communities to remain vigilant, promptly report signs of soil movement or land cracks, and cooperate with authorities whenever evacuation becomes necessary.

The CR-SEMA boss further emphasized the need for continuous public enlightenment on disaster risk reduction, noting that climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent and require collective action from both Government and communities.

One of the affected residents, who spoke on behalf of the victims, Mr. Bassey Patrick, thanked the assessment team for responding promptly to the incident despite the difficult circumstances.

He appealed to Government and humanitarian organizations to provide emergency assistance to affected families, explaining that many survivors had lost loved ones and were struggling to cope with the aftermath of the disaster.

Following the assessment, the team recommended immediate humanitarian assistance for affected households, sustained medical care for the injured victims, and a comprehensive geotechnical assessment to determine the stability of the surrounding terrain.

The team also advocated intensified community sensitization on landslide and erosion risks, as well as the possible relocation of residents occupying high-risk areas to safer locations in order to prevent future occurrences.

The assessment further reflects the commitment of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency under the leadership of Mr. Efa Nyong to proactive disaster response, coordinated emergency management and the protection of lives and property in line with the People's First Mantra of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Otu.