We’re overwhelmed by magnitude of disaster in Nigeria – Red Cross

The Nigerian Red Cross Society yesterday said despite having over 800,000 volunteers across the country, it is overwhelmed by the magnitude of disaster and humanitarian situation in Nigeria.

It called for more intervention from well-meaning individuals to support the work of the society in bringing succour to the displaced people of Nigeria, reports Daily Trust.

President of the Society, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, stated this in Lagos during the 2024 annual fund raising and gala night held in Lagos on Saturday.

Adeaga stated that Nigeria was yet to recover from the 2022 flood disaster when it was rocked with the 2024 occurrence, adding that the humanitarian crisis in Maiduguri alone after the recent flooding was beyond imagination.

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He stated that despite having over 800,000 volunteers across Nigeria, it is yet to cover a significant percentage of people in dire humanitarian situations.

“By the time we divide these 800,000 volunteers across the 36 states and the FCT, we are nowhere near our capacity to address the challenges,” he said.

With a target to raise over N2.5billion, the president called on Nigerians to “join the noble call to keep humanity alive.”

Adeaga said, “Apart from Borno which has become a vocal point, there are several other states that are affected by flood.

“I am calling on all of us to please team up with the Nigerian Red Cross Society. You can join us because this is a noble call. There is no money there but you have the grace of God. It doesn’t take money to do good.

“There are too many tasks to do and that is what has brought us here. In Maiduguri alone, I don’t know how much we can sink into the humanitarian challenges there that can cope with the level of destruction. In Maiduguri alone, we are not talking of Zamfara, we are not talking of what is happening in Niger, not to talk of what is happening in Osun even where I come from, Ibadan, also had its own portion last week.

“We have a lot of cases, a lot of issues that are arising. My dear brothers and sisters, we are overwhelmed. We are not asking only for donations, we are also appealing for other resources- human resources and infrastructural resources because for the Red Cross, it is our mandate, conviction and mission to alleviate sufferings in areas where we have disaster.”

Country Manager, British Red Cross, Karsten Voigt, said the Nigerian Red Cross is working under very difficult circumstances and called on all and sundry to support the society.

He also advocated for preventive measures to prevent disaster, saying the British Red Cross is working with stakeholders in that regard.

Similarly, Head of Delegation, Benin, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo for International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Bhupinder Tomar, said with 35m Nigerians facing hunger and starvation, the remaining 165m people can join hands together to save those living in poverty.