Red Cross supports 5,000 flood victims in Jigawa

The Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS) has supported 5,000 victims affected by the 2024 flood disaster in Auyo, Malam-madori and Kirikasamma local government areas.

 

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Speaking at the cash distribution to the victims, held at the Auto Local Government secretariat, the President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Oluyemisi Adeaga, said the organisation would distribute a total of N304million.

 

Adeaga said the red cross registered 5,000 families in the state, with 3,000 families receiving agricultural assistance worth N150m to enhance their farm yields.

 

“Additionally, 2,000 families will receive cash assistance of N154 million,” he said.

 

Adeaga stressed that the support went beyond just distributing aid, stating, “We’re not just distributing aid. We’re distributing dignity.”

 

He highlighted the organisation’s commitment to reaching the most vulnerable members of society, including widows, people living with disabilities, and displaced families.

 

”We’re reaching out to our most vulnerable, the widows who’ve lost everything, people living with disabilities, child-headed households, pregnant mothers, and displaced families.”

 

He recalled that in 2024, the  red cross initiated an anticipatory flood response project to provide support to vulnerable communities in Jigawa, aimed at lessening the impact of anticipated floods by assessing and registering communities in Auyo, Kirikasamma, and Malam Madori LGAs as part of the intervention for the 2024 flood response.

 

He said the distribution was being done in Jigawa, as the result of a nationwide analysis conducted in 2024 to validate households from the Flood Emergency Appeal 2024.

 

He said following a comprehensive validation process, which ensured the accuracy and eligibility of 11,500 beneficiaries across 13 states in Nigeria, the NRCS began the distribution of aid.

 

Adeaga added that objective of nationwide exercise, which will take place throughout Nigeria in 2025, is to distribute Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) to the 11,500 validated beneficiaries in Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Enugu, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.

 

In her remarks, Zubaida Umar, the Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), noted that the gesture reflects the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to providing relief to communities impacted by flood disaster.

 

Umar, represented by Dr Nuraddeen Abdullahi, NEMA’s Coordinator, Kano Territorial Office, said as a key stakeholder, the NRCS plays a crucial role in complementing public authorities in humanitarian intervention.

 

She noted that the agency, recently distributed essential relief materials, including food and non-food items to affected families in 18 LGAs of the state.

 

Also speaking, Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, commended the society for its efforts in supporting flood victims in the state.

 

Speaking, the NRCS branch Chairman in the state, Mr Bala Chamo said 1,200 victims from Auyo, 2,000 from Malam Madori and 1,800 from Kirikasamma will benefit from the exercise.

Bala added 3,000 of the victims will receive N50,000 each under  the agricultural assistance, while 2,000 will receive N77, 000, under the cash assistance.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Auyo LGC, Bilya Ahmed, commended the red cross for the support.

Some of the beneficiaries, Hajiya Duniya Manu and Jafaru, thanked the organisation for the support and pledged to make judicious use of the money.

 

NAN/Wumi