IRC launches $4m appeal for flood victims

The support s targeted at over forty thousand flood victims

The International Rescue Committee ,IRC, has launched an appeal for the provision of about $4 million (N600 million) to provide water, sanitization, and livelihood through provision of agricultural inputs and seedlings to the most vulnerable communities affected by the recent flooding in Nigeria.

The leader of the IRC team, Suzanna Tkalec, who led her team on a visit to the Director General of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mohammed Sani-Sidi, at the weekend in his office, made the disclosure.

Ms. Tkalec also stated that her team has concluded its impact assessment of the affected areas and is now ready to render technical assistance and support worth millions of dollars.

She said the support which is targeted at over forty thousand 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.

Ms. 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,

Mr. Sani-Sidi in his remarks 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.

“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,” he said.

In another development, the management of UAC Nigeria Limited has donated food items worth over N10 million to NEMA for distribution to the most affected victims of flood in the country.

The Director of Administration and Supply in NEMA, 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.