18, 904 Households Benefit from NEMA’s Flood, Fuel Subsidy Palliatives in Anambra

By Praise Chinecherem

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced distribution of relief materials to 18, 904 households affected by flood in Anambra State.

Director-General, NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed disclosed this in Awka during distribution of the special national economic and livelihood emergency intervention to 2022 flood victims and vulnerable persons.

Ahmed, represented by Assistant Director, NEMA, Mr Olusegun Afolayan said the intervention was to cushion the devastation as well as the economic hardship occasioned by both the deluge and fuel subsidy removal.

He listed items distributed to include sewing, machines, grinding machines, water pump machines, cooking stove, cooking poots, mattresses, mosquito nets, mats, soap, buckets, and blankets.

Others were herbicides, pesticides, growth enhancer, fertilizer, yam, rice, beans and maize seedlings, salt, garri, satchets of tomato pastes, vegetable oil and seasoning cubes.

According to him, “The 2022 flood disaster devastated many communities across the country, including Anambra state.

“After the flood incident, damage and loss assessment were conducted and relief items approved for 18,904 households in Anambra.

“The assessment was done n collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency, hence, the distribution of the relief items to support the victims’ quick return to normalcy.”

While advising on judicious use of the items, the NEMA boss warned against selling the none food items which he said the beneficiaries were expected to continue their livelihood with.

Responding, State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo thanked the federal government for coming to their aid, regretting that the effect of the flood disaster was beyond the state government.

Soludo, represented by his deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, restated his administration commitment to supporting programmes targeted at alleviating the socio-economic hardship of the people of the state.

He said the flood incident affected health, education and economic sectors as well as the livelihood of residents.

“In preparation for this year’s flooding, the holding camps are already activated and people in the riverine areas will soon be moving in as the water level continue to rise this year,” he said.

Earlier, Executive Secretary, SEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo hinted that the beneficiaries were drawn from 10 Local Government Areas affected by the flood incident in the state.