The Nigerian Red Cross Society on Friday began the 2022 flood intervention for 1,350 households affected by the recent flood disaster in three local government areas of Delta.
Inaugurating the intervention at Ewoma Primary School, Ivrogbor-Irri, Isoko South local government area, the National President of the Society, Mr Bolaji Anani said the benefiting households were selected from Isoko South, Ndokwa East and Ughelli South LGAs.
He said that the three LGAs were part of those worst hit by the recent flood disaster.
He disclosed that the organisation planned to distribute relief items or cash to about 180,000 flood affected persons in 23 most affected states, totaling 29,700 households.
”The first phase of the relief distribution is simultaneously being flagged off today in Kogi state, while cash distribution will commence on December 19, in Cross River.
”The items being distributed today include 24kg of rice, 25kg of gari, 30kg of beans, five litres of palm oil and 25 litres of empty Jerry cans for water storage,” he said.
Anani also said that the organisation carried out the registration, using prescribed selection criteria developed with members of the communities.
He said the criteria were used to identify the most vulnerable persons, who should benefit from the intervention.
”This was used to identify the most vulnerable persons in these communities, who are benefiting from this exercise today.
”As we continue to receive support, we will extend our interventions to cover the areas of needs,” he added.
Anani, however, commended International Community of the Red Cross (ICRS), International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), British Red Cross (BRC), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, among others, who contributed to make the exercise a success.
The Ivrogbor-Irri Community Chairman, Mr. Christopher Ebegbare, thanked the organisation for choosing his community for the beginning of the distribution in the state.
He prayed that all those who contributed to bring succour to persons in his community affected by the flood be blessed abundantly.
The Isoko South local government council chairman, Mr Victor Asassa, represented by Mr. Issac Omoyero, thanked the organisation for identifying with persons in his local government area and coming to their rescue.
Some of the beneficiaries thanked the Nigerian Red Cross Society for the gesture, which they described as unprecedented.
Miss Saviour Akpuvie, a 12-year old orphan, who expressed joy after receiving the items, noted that the foodstuffs would sustain her and two siblings.
