The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), has commenced the distribution of N50,000 each to 500 households (totalling N25 million) in Cross River communities affected by the massive flooding of 2022.The unconditional cash per household was distributed to 200 households in Abi Local Government Area (LGA) specifically 70 in Ediba, 70 in Itigidi and 70 in Imabana communities.
Also, other LGAs in the state which benefitted from the initiative include Ikom and Etung where 150 households in each of the LGAs received the relief.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the activity which was a fallout of the global flood appeal by NRCS, commenced in Kogi and Delta states with the distribution of food items and relief materials to flood victims.
Speaking during the flag-off of the 2022 Flood Relief Distribution to Affected Households in Cross River, Mr Bolaji Anani, National President of NRCS, said following the devastating floods of 2022, NRCS undertook a rescue operation.Anani said working with the International Federation of Red Cross, (IFRC), they embarked on a multi-sectoral needs assessment, and raised an appeal for donations in aid of affected households.
He said with donations from IFRC, British Red Cross (BRC), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Universal Postal Service (UPS), Alumni of Lagos Business School, EMA14B and others, they were able to commence the gesture.
“We plan to distribute relief items or cash to about 29,700 flood affected families in the 23 most affected states and the first phase of the relief distribution was simultaneously flagged-off in Delta and Kogi on Dec. 15, while cash distribution will commence in Cross River for 500 households in Abi, Ikom and Etung LGAs who will receive N50,000 each.
“As we continue to receive support, we will extend our interventions to cover other areas which include health, water, sanitation and hygiene promotion and shelter,” he said.
Similarly, Mr Anthony Oloche, Disaster Management Officer of NRCS, Abuja, said the society’s interventions were based on needs assessment, that was why it differed from state to state.
“We have a selection criteria that targets the most vulnerable people such as women-headed households, child-headed households, pregnant and lactating mothers, the elderly above 60 years.
“This was done in partnership with a committee set up by the community called the Community Resilience Committee; it enabled us carry out a house to house selection of the beneficiaries,” he maintained.
On his part, Mr Osang Osang, a representative of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South-South Region, thanked NRCS for their kind gesture.
Osang dropped an emergency telephone number – 080022556362 – through which NEMA should be informed quickly whenever there was a disaster to enable them respond promptly.Also, HRH. Oval Ivara Umoh, Clan Head of Ediba Community, thanked NRCS with all the partners and donor agencies, while advising beneficiaries to use the money wisely.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to NAN thanked NRCS, adding that they would put the money to good use to benefit them and their households.
