Photo: Emmanuel Gbemudu/IRIN

Women with a dug-out canoe in front of their flooded homes in Toru-Orua in Sagbama.

Abuja — Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Technical Matters, Dr. Akachukwu Nwankpo, has disclosed that 700,000 persons were displaced in the 60 communities which cut across six local government areas in Anambra State.

Nwankpo told newsmen in Abuja that the statistics were being collated to provide the victims with relief, adding that 120 volunteers had been engaged to reach out to the 60 communities, with two attached to each community to be paid N10,000 monthly.

Worried by the level of flood, which submerged these communities in the state, Nwankpo urged philanthropic individuals and organisations to move in and assist the flood victims.

Nwankpo, who is mobilising Anambra people through Anambra Responds, said: "The initiative is focused on information, organisation, logistics and accountability.

"The magnitude of destruction is new and unexpected. If you take an aerial view of what happened in Anambra State, you will appreciate the level of devastation."