The Nigerian Red Cross Society has launched an appeal fund to raise N2.5 billion to tackle malnutrition and the severe hunger crisis in the country.
The fund, according to the President of the Society, Mr. Oluyemisi Adeaga, is aimed at providing food, potable water, and basic sanitation for 31.5 million people who are at risk of severe hunger and malnutrition in Nigeria.
Every naira donated will go directly towards providing food, clean water, and basic sanitation services—three essentials for survival.
Adeaga, who was represented by the Chairperson, Lagos Branch, Mrs. Adebola Kolawole, at the pre-event press briefing held in Lagos on Thursday, disclosed that Nigeria is at a tipping point with the hunger crisis, and this, he observed, requires a collective response from all.
He stated, “On Saturday, September 28, the Nigerian Red Cross Society will launch a fundraiser under the theme-“Keeping Humanity Alive”. The goal is to raise N2.5b to support 31.5 million Nigerians who are at risk of severe hunger and malnutrition by October 2024, unless something drastic is done now.
As far as hunger is concerned, over 31.5 million people are at risk of severe hunger, which is driven by the impacts of conflict, climate change, displacement and inflation. Among those vulnerable are women and children. These statistics are alarming but behind each figure lies a human story of a mother struggling to feed her children, of communities facing acute shortages of clean water, and of children who face the sad prospect of malnutrition.
This crisis situation demands a collective response from us all. We cannot stand by and watch as entire communities are pushed to the brink of survival. In the Red Cross, our driving mantra is ‘alleviating human suffering wherever it may be found’ and this is exactly what we intend to do.
Today, the magnitude and sheer scale of the problem demand your help, which is why this fundraiser is so crucial. With the projected N2.5b fundraiser, we will be able to scale up our operations and bring lifesaving assistance to the hardest-hit regions of the country. So join us in keeping humanity alive. You can donate to our cause at https://www.redcrossnigeria.org/nigeria-hunger-crisis-appeal”
Also fielding questions from newsmen at the event, Mrs Gbugbemi Uba, General Manager, fundraising committee, Nigerian Red Cross Society, stated that the intervention is targeted at vulnerable Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country.
She added, “We are coming out now with this appeal to meet up with the rising number of those affected by the hunger crisis. We identified our beneficiaries by going into communities with an emphasis on women, the sick, and the elderly in society. So our volunteers will go into communities. They work closely with the community leaders in various communities to identify those who are vulnerable and in dire need of these interventions.
For the cash transfer, we work with banks and other financial institutions. What we do presently is that we go with pre-loaded ATM cards for the beneficiaries because we already have their details. These cards are pre-loaded with funds, so on the day of the distribution, we distribute food items and also give them the pre-loaded ATM cards.
Usually, we do that within 90 days of having the funds. This intervention is targeted at the whole of Nigeria. It is not particular to a section alone. We are going to the south, east, west, and north. We are looking out for the most vulnerable of all.”
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