National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Niger, says 20,529 people were affected by different kinds of disasters in the state in 2016.

Head, Minna Operational Office of the agency, Slaku Bijimi, said the agency recorded nine fire incidents, four wind/rain storm, nine cases of flood, two communal clashes and one boat mishap in 2016.

He said 1,116 people were affected by fire, 4,343 by windstorm while 14,479 people were affected by flood disasters, saying five persons were killed and 583 affected by a communal clash in Barakuta, Bosso.

Bijimi said two persons lost their lives in boat mishap in Borgu local government area of the state.

He said the number of disaster recorded in the state last year was minimal due to sensitation and prompt response by the agency.

The agency provided relief materials for victims to complement the efforts of the state government,’’he said.

Bijimi promised that the agency would continue to create awareness on disaster management and risk reductions in the state.