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By Tracy Moses
The Nigerian Red Cross Society, in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has provided financial support of N38 million to aid Edo communities affected by devastating floods.
The funding is aimed at alleviating the hardships faced by residents in these areas.
The affected communities include Ikpe in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area and Ogbesse in Ovia North East Local Government Area, both located in Edo State.
Addressing journalists during the disbursement of the funds to some of the beneficiaries in Ikpe Community on Tuesday, 8 April 2025, Mr. Wilson Ekhomogiazin, Branch Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Edo State, said the N38 million was shared among 500 beneficiaries from both communities.
He stated that each beneficiary was expected to receive N77,000, adding that if this money is invested in their businesses, it will help improve their standard of living.
Mr. Ekhomogiazin explained that the Nigerian Red Cross Society visited both communities in 2024 to assess the impact of the floods and discovered that they needed help, which has now been provided.
He further explained that the funds, which will be distributed to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, physically challenged persons, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers, are one of the ways the Nigerian Red Cross Society is improving the lives of indigent Nigerians.
Ekhomogiazin also mentioned that the Nigerian Red Cross Society had empowered 1,000 indigent persons in various communities in the state in 2024 and had issued an early warning protocol to them.
“In October 2024, we implemented what we call the simplified early warning protocol. The essence of this protocol was to provide communities prone to flood disasters with some capacity to respond, and we provided support to 1,000 households,” Ekhomogiazin said.
Also speaking, Nwaoha Charity, Disaster Management Officer (Migration), Abuja, commended the process of selecting the beneficiaries, saying that those chosen had met the criteria for selection. She emphasized that the process was free from any form of manipulation and urged the beneficiaries to join the Nigerian Red Cross Society to help impact more lives.
The Director of Rehabilitation Services, Ministry of Women Affairs, Edo State, Mr. Sylvester Okeoguale, commended the Nigerian Red Cross Society for assisting indigent members of society. He urged the beneficiaries to use the funds wisely, noting that it is rare for such help to come by nowadays.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the chairman of Ikpe Community, Mr. Christopher Victor, applauded the donors for their generous gesture and promised that the funds would be judiciously utilized.