Anambra Red Cross Restates Commitment To Disaster Management
By Chinwe Onuigbo, Awka
The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Anambra State branch, has restated its commitment to disaster management in the state and called for support to strengthen humanitarian interventions.
The state chairman, Professor Charity Ifeyinwa Emelie made the statement at the Red Cross state headquarters in Amawbia, Awka, the state capital, during a press briefing as part of the activities lined up to celebrate the 2024 World Red Cross Day.
According to Professor Emelie, “this year’s commemoration event is themed, ‘Keeping Humanity Alive’, which simply means understanding and kindness towards to other people and keeping hope alive.”
She listed the fundamental principles of the Red Cross to include humanity, impartiality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality, which summed up its movement ethics and core mission.
Professor Emelie also stressed that the society, as a first responder to disaster management, has carried out emergency management interventions both in cash transfers and humanitarian efforts in communities in Anambra West, Orumba, Anambra North, Ogbaru and Awka North local government areas of the state.
She said, “The mission of the Nigerian Red Cross is to alleviate the situation of the vulnerable people which includes those affected by disaster, epidemics, armed conflicts and the poorest communities in both urban and rural areas among whom are women, children, the aged, displaced and vulnerable people.
“It is the World Red Cross Day which is done in commemoration of the birth of the founder, Jean Henry Dunant, a Swiss citizen born on May 8, 1928 in Geneva, Switzerland.
“The theme for this year is ‘Keeping Humanity Alive’. Humanity simply means understanding and kindness towards other people. Alive means still in existence or to keep hope alive. This is exactly what we do in Red Cross and Red Crescent.
“Summarily, we prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. The theme is a cumulative appraisal of the entire activities of the Red Cross Movement in a precise and concise format. On this note, we are drawing the attention of our dear governor, patron and father to rural and disaster prone areas of the state where necessities of life which will keep humanity alive are not all availed to the people.”
On the issue of flooding, she said the Red Cross was fully prepared to offer humanitarian and operational interventions to mitigate flood disasters in communities affected by flooding in the state.
“We are committed to flood disaster prevention and management in the state even as the rainy season approaches. Highlights of our operations in the state include emergency response to every emergency with a strategic and professional approach to every situation, and assessment of situations like flood, danger and level of vulnerability within our communities.
“Distribution of relief items to households affected by flood communities in the state; and renovation of houses for flood affected victims in Ogbaru, Anambra East and West.
“We sensitise and do advocacy for the people in flood-prone communities with the aim to mitigate flood disasters. We provide relief in times of disasters/emergencies, we reconnect families separated by crises, we help to rebuild communities devastated by disasters, we promote health and care of the vulnerable people and communities,” she added.
Professor Emelie, who listed lack of pipe borne water, unequipped mobile clinic, and lack of functional vehicles, as some of their major obstacles, appreciated Governor Soludo and his wife Nonye whom she addressed as their grand matron and mother general, for their strong support and called on individuals and organisations to support the Red Cross to effectively touch the lives of the vulnerable.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the State Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross, Engineer Kingsley Okoye, appreciated the stakeholders for always supporting the Red Cross Society and urged them to do more.
He disclosed that Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is currently funding projects in two communities in Ogbaru council area and two communities in Awka North council area through the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
The Anambra State Vice Chairman of the Red Cross, Prince Chika Ezedigbo while presenting his vote of thanks, thanked the Anambra State Government and appreciated their stakeholders for their unalloyed support.
Cutting of the commemoration cake by the Red Cross State Chairman, and various stakeholders, climaxed the occasion.
Oyenike Oyeniyi
