Anambra Takes Delivery of UNICEF Medical Items, Others Donated to Flood Victims

By Praise Chinecherem

The Anambra State Government has taken delivery of Emergency Supplies from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for post-flood intervention in communities in seven local government areas of the state.

The items included first set of supplies of 100 drums of chlorine for disinfection of water sources, 40 cartons of Aquatabs for household water treatment and 320 cartons of Ready to Use Therapeutic food (RUTF).

Governor Chukwuma Soludo, while receiving the items, said partnership with the UNICEF and other donor agencies in many sectors would help save lives and respond promptly to emergencies.

Soludo, represented by his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim explained that donations from UNICEF and other donor agencies would ensure effective response to the acute healthcare needs of the people in the affected communities.

He called on Commissioners, Transition Committee Chairmen, Presidents General of various communities in the state, among others, to join hands in order to alleviate the sufferings of the people in the affected areas.

He praised UNICEF and other donor agencies for their timely interventions,

restating government’s commitment to finding permanent solution to the menace, just as he called for more assistance to ameliorate the plights of the victims.

Earlier, UNICEF Field Officer, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe-Chilemba, said the body is working with the State Government to provide medical services and strengthen disease surveillance across the seven affected local government areas to ensure timely response to any disease outbreak.

Appreciating the government and other partners for their concerns, Chiluwe-Chilemba noted that UNICEF is concerned about the health of the people affected by the flood, especially children under five years.

She explained that healthcare facilities in the affected areas were used as holding centres, while immunization exercises were carried out to protect the children from contacting diseases.

Among the dignitaries at the event were Executive Secretary, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo, Commissioner for Power and Minerals Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka, as well as the Commissioners for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs Ify Obinabo.