The Anambra state government has received emergency supplies from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), for post-flood intervention in seven local government areas of the state.
Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, while receiving the supplies in Awka, the state capital said partnership with the UNICEF and other donor agencies in many sectors will help save lives and respond promptly to emergencies.
It would be recalled that more than twenty states were devastated by floods in Nigeria in 2022, with over seven local government areas being the worst hit in Anambra state.
The floods also caused the collapse of infrastructure, including public and private buildings, ravaged farm lands and destroyed people’s sources of livelihood.
Dr. Ibezim emphasized that donations from UNICEF and other donor agencies will ensure effective response to the acute healthcare needs of the people in the affected communities and called on all the Commissioners, Transition Committee Chairmen, presidents general of various communities in the state, among others, to join hands in order to alleviate the sufferings of the people in the affected areas.
He commended UNICEF and other donor agencies for their timely interventions, calling for more assistance to ameliorate the plights of the people affected by the flooding, even as he restated the state government’s commitment to finding permanent solution to the menace.
UNICEF field Officer, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe-Chilemba, said the body is working with the Anambra State Government to provide medical services and strengthen disease surveillance across the seven affected local government areas to ensure timely response to any disease outbreak.
While appreciating the state government and other partners for their concerns, the UNICEF field Officer noted that UNICEF is concerned about the health of the people affected by the flood, especially children under five years and explained that healthcare facilities in the affected areas were used as holding centres, while immunization exercises were carried out to protect the children from contacting diseases.
Speaking at the occasion, the commissioner for women and social welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo appreciated the numerous contributions of UNICEF to the state especially towards women and children.
She also called on other humanitarian agencies, organisations and individuals to assist affected states in Nigeria with post flood relief items.
Dignitaries at the event include the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA), Chief Paul Odenigbo, Commissioner for Power and Mineral Resources, Engineer Julius Chukwuemeka, among others.
