BY: NEWS EDITOR, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024/ 10:32AM

The devastating flood that swept through Maiduguri last week has left thousands displaced, including four staff members of Lake Chad Times Newspaper.

The flood, which claimed lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira, affected the newspaper's Head of Newsroom, Editor, Social Media Manager, and Reporter - all women.

Three of the affected staff members lived in the Custom area, while one resided in Adam Kolo, Limanti ward of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

As a women-led media organization focused on reporting issues affecting women, children, and vulnerable groups, the irony of the situation is not lost on Lake Chad Times.

'These are the same groups we typically report on, especially in situations like this, where they are often the most affected,' said Abdulkadir M. Lawan, Editor-in-Chief of Lake Chad Times.

The Social Media Manager, recounted her ordeal: 'The flood forced us to flee our homes for safety. I spent three days at Muna, and when I returned after the water receded, we found that the flood had destroyed our house and taken away most of our belongings.'

Her experience mirrors that of her colleagues, who are now struggling to come to terms with their new reality.

'This flood has not only displaced us but has also disrupted our work and source of livelihood.

'We are now forced to prioritize our personal survival over our professional responsibilities,' said the editor.

The Head of Newsroom said 'the emotional toll of this disaster cannot be overstated. We've lost our homes, our sense of security, and our ability to report on the very issues we care about.'

The displacement of Lake Chad Times staff has also impacted the organization's ability to report on the flood's aftermath, as the affected journalists were supposed to be in the field documenting the experiences of vulnerable groups.

'This is a double tragedy for us.

'We want to tell the stories of those affected, but we're now part of those stories ourselves,' the reporter said.

The Maiduguri flood has highlighted the vulnerability of communities in the region and the importance of media organizations like Lake Chad Times in shedding light on their struggles.

The flood's impact on the newspaper's operations serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of natural disasters and the challenges faced by journalists in crisis zones.