IRC launches $4m appeal for Nigeria flood victims

The National Emergency Management Agency has received a delegation from the International Rescue Committee, who are in Nigeria to render technical assistance and support worth millions of dollars to victims of the recent flood disaster in the country.
The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, who received the delegation at the weekend in his office, noted that various groups have shown concern and great commitment towards the plight of the displaced people, just as the agency is currently working towards confronting hazards associated with harmattan and dry seasons after the rainy days.
Sani-Sidi said: “We are impressed with supports from local and international organization to the victims of flood disaster.
“In our effort to reduce another disaster after the rainfalls, NEMA has activated its early warning against misuse of flammable items like matches, lights, stoves, electrical appliances and bush burning that could easily trigger fire in home, market, office and farms during harmattan and dry season.
“We strongly believe that prevention is better than cure.”
The leader of the IRC team, Suzanna Tkalec, said that her team has concluded its impact assessment and launched an appeal for provision of about $4 million dollars to provide water sanitisation and livelihood through provision of agricultural inputs and seedlings to the most vulnerable communities.
Tkalec said the support, which is targeted at over 40,000 households, would help those in dire need of humanitarian assistance to recover and rebuild their lives.
She added that IRC is a non-sectarian, non-governmental international relief and development organisation based in the United States, with operations in over 40 countries.
She added that the organisation provides emergency relief, post-conflict development and resettlement services.
Tkalec stated that the IRC has assisted millions of people around the world since its founding in 1933 and is composed of first responders, humanitarian relief workers, international development experts, health care providers, and educators,
In another development, the management of UACN Nigeria Limited has donated food items worth over N10 million to NEMA for distribution the most affected victims of flood in the country.
The Director of Administration and Supply in NEMA, Dr. Muhammad Zanna, while receiving the items restated the commitment of the agency to ensuring transparent distribution to the people in need.
The Public Relations Manager of UAC, Mike Asuquo, said the gesture was part of its corporate social responsibility to Nigerians and commended NEMA for discharging its responsibility professionally and responsibly.