The Nigerian Red Cross Society says 2024 has been a year of growth, resilience, and innovation.
National President, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, said this in Abuja, Nigeria, at the 2024 Annual General Meeting, AGM.
He noted that the 2024 AGM embodies its collective values of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
These, he said, would be achieved through innovation, adaptation and strengthening of its networks.
According to him, through collaboration and partnership of its donors, the Society was able to change the prevailing narrative of doom and gloom to stories of hope and impact.
He said earlier in the year, the Society had received about two million dollars in aid from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction which supported the distribution of food items and provision of boreholes to the vulnerable communities in Adamawa, Anambra, Oyo, Kebbi, Kogi and Rivers states to address the devastating floods across the region.
“In July, our efforts culminated in extensive relief operations in Adamawa and other affected states. These efforts brought visibility and urgent aid to thousands of families,” he said.
The NRC President also said that the Society, through swift mobilization and collaboration efforts, provided immediate relief and raised 6.7 million naira to support the victims of the sudden flood that ravaged Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, in September.
He highlighted that other areas of intervention include the launch of an MPOX Training of Trainers programme aimed to enhance preparedness and response efforts across the 26 states bad the Federal Capital Territory in collaboration with the Norwegian Red Cross and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
“With N2.5b identified as the minimum amount of resources needed to save 32 million vulnerable people living in the country from severe hunger and malnutrition, we launched a N2.5b fundraising campaign. We also held our first ever international youth camp,” he said.
Also Read: Red Cross Affirms Commitment to Emergency Management, Tree-Planting Initiative
Prince Adeaga emphasised that the meeting was not just an administrative necessity, but a platform to chart the future of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
He restated that as a body, while the NRC reflects on 2024, it will focus on the challenges and opportunities of 2025 which include Climate: change, health emergencies, disaster management and economic pressures demand.
“Together, we can continue to serve humanity with dignity, efficiency, and compassion.”
He commended the immense role played by every Nigerian Red Cross volunteer who worked tirelessly in 2024, describing them as the true heroes of the success story.
On his part, Operations Manager, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Hopewell Munyari, said the organisation is guided by its strategy 2030, which focuses on five key areas: climate change, disaster response, health gaps, migration, and values, power, and inclusion.
He noted that in Nigeria, the IFRC is working closely with the Nigerian Red Cross to address these priority areas hence its efforts to support the Nigerian Red Cross in responding to natural disasters, promoting health and well-being, and addressing the needs of vulnerable communities.
“We want to see the Nigerian Red Cross grow in terms of their responses to natural disasters, being more efficient and faster in their approaches. We also want to see more engagement with other partners, including governments, and more funding to support their initiatives,” Munyari said.
Mr Munyari added that the Nigerian Red Cross is playing a critical role in promoting humanitarian values and principles in Nigeria and the IFRC is committed to supporting that cause.
Comments are closed.