Red Cross distributes resilience kits to flood communities in Delta

Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, has commended the Nigerian Red Cross Society for its transparency in distributing resilience kits to flood-prone communities in the state, as he said the initiative will go a long way in reducing the impact of the impending 2025 floods.

Emu, represented by the Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Terry Etacherure, urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the items received and warned against exchanging them for money, noting that they were provided to strengthen safety, health, and resilience during emergencies..

The distribution exercise, flagged off  at the palace of the Akor of Oko Kingdom, Eze Osita I, was targeted at 986 households across Oshimili South Local Government Area.

Communities billed to benefit include Oko-Anala, Oko-Obiokpu, Omeligboma, and Elenchere, following a thorough verification process carried out by the Red Cross to ascertain the needs of each household.

In his remarks, chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Delta State branch, Chief Adolphus Anuagasi, explained that the initiative was designed to improve disaster risk reduction and enhance coping mechanisms in the face of recurring floods that continue to endanger lives and livelihoods in the state.

He disclosed that the resilience kits were distributed free of charge and contained essential materials such as raincoats, boots, torch lights, solar lamps, oral rehydration salts with zinc, aqua-tabs, sleeping mats, blankets, umbrellas, repellent creams, jerry cans, buckets with lids and insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

 According to him, these items will improvide households with basic protection, lighting, healthcare support, and hygiene during the flood season.

Chief Anuagasi also acknowledged the generosity of the British Red Cross, whose partnership he described as vital to the success of the exercise. He further appreciated the efforts of Red Cross volunteers who undertook the registration and coordination of beneficiaries across the affected communities.

The chairman, Oshimili South Local Government Area, Dr. Kelvin Ezenyili, represented by his vice chairman, Chinye Hobobo, applauded the Red Cross for remembering the Oko communities and working alongside the government to mitigate the plight of residents affected by floods.

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Similarly, the Director of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Alfred Ebremeyin, represented by the Director of Administration and Finance, Mr. Daniel Okpor, noted that the government alone cannot shoulder the weight of humanitarian crises.

 He thanked the Red Cross for complementing the state government’s interventions and pledged sustained collaboration in supporting disaster victims in the impending 2025 floods.