A fire outbreak has hit the internally displaced persons, IDPs, camp in Rann, Kala Balge local government area of Borno State, killing nine people and injured many others in the camp.
According to eyewitness’ account, who spoke with newsmen on Monday, the IDPs had been left with nothing after the United Nations withdrew its staff and support from that part of the state.
“Our people have been dying of hunger and starvation since the UN left. There is nothing to eat as the little that is available from government and well-meaning Nigerians is not even enough for the women and children.
“There is also no medical care and people are now open to so many diseases due to hunger and starvation in the camp. Also lack of water has been a problem, which the people have been battling with.
“Today, at about 12 noon, there was a fire outbreak. Some people who were down due to hunger and its related sickness were choked. There was no water to fight the fire, thereby living no help for those who were trapped in the fire.
“We lost nine people with several others injured as a result of the fire incident this afternoon. We are calling for help for these people because they are really suffering for now,” the source said.
However, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, on Tuesday confirmed that six persons were killed in a fire outbreak at Rann Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp in Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno.
NEMA’s North-East Coordinator, Bashir Garga, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Maiduguri that 20 others sustained various degrees of injury while over 200 tents were razed.
Mr Garga said the deceased included three women and three children.
He said some animals were also killed in the inferno, adding that the cause of the fire could not be immediately ascertained.
He explained that those who were injured in the inferno had been referred to a medical facility for treatment.
The coordinator said the agency in collaboration with some aid organisations assisted the victims with shelter and evacuated carcasses of dead animals to guard against outbreak of diseases.
According to him, the agency in collaboration with Borno State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, will carry out an assessment in the camp to ascertain the extent of damage and needs of the victims.
“We are sensitising the displaced persons on safety and preventive tips to control incessant fire outbreak in camps.”
NAN
