2024 FLOOD: 1,100 Households Benefits From Red Cross Cash Donation, Non- Consumable Relief Materials in Kogi
By Boluwaji Obahopo, Lokoja
The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has again presented non food items and cash support to 1,100 selected households affected by the 2024 flood in Kogi State.
Professor Adeyemo Andronicus, Director of Programmes, NRCS who made the presentation yesterday in Lokoja emphasised that only the deserving and vulnerable were selected for the exercise, adding that the materials would assuage and bring succour to the beneficiaries.
Andronicus while presenting the items acknowledged the support and partnership of government, in alleviating poverty of the people affected by the flood disasters.
“Together, we can ensure that aid reaches those who need it most, swiftly and effectively.”
“This distribution is an initiative of the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, ECHO. It was facilitated by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.”
“As we are all painfully aware, the recent floods have devastated communities across Nigeria, displacing thousands and leaving many in urgent need of assistance. Families have lost their homes, and livelihoods have been swept away. In these trying times, the call for action is more urgent than ever.”
According to him, the NRCS through funding by the European Civil Protection and Civil Aid Operations (ECHO) has been able to restore the dignity of the flood victims, adding that it has made provisions capable of turning around the victims’ challenges.
“This partnership with ECHO is not just about resources; it’s about shared values and a common goal. We both believe in the power of humanity. We understand that in times of crisis, it is our collective responsibility to stand together and support one another.
Every cash grant distributed, every water point rehabilitated, and every person supported is a testament to our commitment to ‘restoring the dignity of the most vulnerable among us’-one of the strategic development goals of the Nigerian Red Cross.
“We have selected 1,100 persons affected by the flood. We are supporting each of them with N77,000 cash, a bucket and Jerry cans”.
The State Branch Chairman of Red Cross, Mr. Benjamin Ajodo disclosed that the intervention was a token of the support from the NRCS in response to the 2024 flood, said it aims at ameliorating the hardship and suffering of the victims.
Ajodo explained that the non-food materials, made up of plastic buckets, Jerry cans and contingency stock, Aquatabs were intended to assist the vulnerable and also mitigate their suffering
He pointed out that people with disabilities, pregnant women, the aged, breastfeeding mothers, the indigents made up the list of vulnerable persons, considered for the exercise.
The Acting Secretary, Nigerian Red Cross Society NRCS, Comrade Abubakar Abdullahi appealed to the beneficiaries to adhere to the instruction emboldened on the card in order to avoid technical hitches in drawing their cash.
Mouktar Atimah, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency SEMA in his message commended the Red Cross and its donor partners for their contributions to uplifting humanity.
Atimah who was represented by the Agency’s Communication Officer, Salawu Ibrahim, urged the beneficiaries to ensure the judicious use of the items presented to overcome the hardship occasioned by the disaster.
In a goodwill message, the Maigari of Lokoja, HRM Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Gambo Kabir III who was represented by the Hakimi of Ward ‘D’, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Nasidi applauded the Red Cross and donor partners for the gesture.
A cross section of the beneficiaries who spoke to our correspondent expressed appreciation to the NRCS for showing care and love in their times of adversary, noting that the items and cash would in no small measures ameliorate their conditions.
The beneficiaries were drawn from 11 communities in three Local Government areas of the state. Namely; Idah, Kogi and Lokoja LGAs.
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