The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has provided relief materials and appealed for urgent donations for victims affected by the recent floods in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
This was stated in a statement from the organisation, signed by its NRCS Communications and Advocacy Coordinator, Chima Nwankwo, on Thursday.
According to the statement, NRCS Chairman Prince Adeaga called for a timely response to avert a bigger crisis.
Mr. Adeaga said: “As we continue to provide relief and comfort to those in need, the Nigerian Red Cross Society strongly appeals for additional support from the public sector, the private sector and the international community.
“The magnitude of this disaster requires a comprehensive response to ensure that all affected people receive the assistance they need,” the statement said.
Maiduguri floods
Borno State is currently grappling with devastating floods that have already wreaked havoc, destroying property and displacing many residents of Maiduguri, the state capital.
Heavy rains caused the Alau Dam to overflow, displacing thousands of people and causing significant damage.
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The NRSC said the flooding, which remains the worst since 1994, has submerged more than half of the city, disrupting businesses, school activities and daily life in the state capital.
Following the flood, the NSRC said trained volunteers are on the ground providing life-saving assistance to those affected, including helping them find safe shelter and offering emotional support and counselling essential to coping with the trauma of the disaster.
The group described the incident as increasingly serious and said urgent intervention is needed to avert a catastrophic humanitarian disaster, adding that swift and decisive action is important to mitigate the suffering and protect affected populations.
Response activities
The group said it stands in solidarity with the people of Maiduguri, “providing unwavering support during this difficult period while working hard to provide relief and restore hope to the victims.”
In a coordinated effort with local authorities and other humanitarian organizations, the group has deployed emergency response teams to the areas most affected by the disaster, ensuring a unified and effective response to the crisis.
NRSC Secretary General Abubakar Kende said the organization's teams are providing life-saving assistance, including first aid services, where medical teams provide immediate care and healthcare services to those who are injured or in need of medical attention, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
In addition, teams are distributing water purification tablets and educating communities on how to maintain hygiene in emergency situations to prevent waterborne diseases, as well as providing emergency shelters for those displaced by the disaster.
The statement further reads in part: “NRCS is working with the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to establish temporary shelters and provide essential relief supplies, including drinking water, food and non-food items, to displaced families.
NRCS said it is providing psychosocial support to help individuals and families deal with the emotional and psychological impacts of the disaster.”
About NRCS
Since its inception in 1960, NRCS has been a leading humanitarian organization in Nigeria, recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies since 1963.
NRCS has a vast network with approximately 800,000 volunteers across Nigeria’s 36 states, FCT and 774 local governments.
The group provides critical services such as search and rescue, disaster relief, health education, emergency response, and post-disaster community resilience and development.