Victims of the fire at Muna camp are calling on the Borno State government and NGOs to provide humanitarian aid.

Residents of Muna Camp, a shelter for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, Borno State, have lost all their possessions in a fire that destroyed at least 100 thatch houses on Saturday evening, February 10.

The fire in the highly congested camp left many residents with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.

It was not clear what caused the blaze but it was suspected it started when a kerosene cooker was left unattended.

Residents said they urgently needed humanitarian support from the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). They also called on philanthropists in the city to help them.

Bulama Bukar Abatcha, a leader in the camp, told RNI that many residents had lost everything they owned, including cash.

“They do not have shelter or clothing. They were left with only the clothes they were wearing when the fire ripped through the camp on Saturday evening. Some residents lost all their cash, too. Neither the state government nor any NGOs have responded to requests for help. They urgently need food, clothing, mats, mattresses and building materials to make shelters.

“I am calling on philanthropists in Maiduguri to help in any way they can.”
Karu Usman said this was the second time a fire had broken out in the camp since she had been living there.

“When the first fire broke out, we lost all our possessions. Now it has happened again. This time we lost mattresses, blankets, clothes and food. My children are starving. No one has offered to help us.

“It is the Harmattan season and I am struggling to cope. On behalf of the victims, I am pleading with the government and NGOs to come to our aid.”
• The Harmattan is a season in West Africa that occurs between the end of November and the middle of March. It is characterised by the cool, dry and dusty northeasterly trade wind of the same name.

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO