The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has donated N91.5million to 1,000 victims of flood disaster in five communities across Kogi State.
The donation was in furtherance of its humanitarian support to the victims of 2022 flood disaster.
The beneficiaries were selected from five communities in Ajaokuta and Bassa local government areas of the state.
The communities are Ajaokuta and Kporoko in Ajaokuta local government and three communities of Gbobe, Kpata and Goji in Bassa Local Government Area.
The beneficiaries who are mostly elderly people and women were also given food items by the organisation.
A further breakdown shows that 250 of the beneficiaries were selected from Ajaokuta community while another 250 beneficiaries were picked from Kporoko community.
In Bassa Local Government, 200 beneficiaries were selected from Gbobe community, 150 from Kpata community while 150 beneficiaries came from Goji community, making a total of 1,000 beneficiaries from the two local governments.
For the cash disbursement, each of the 1,000 beneficiaries received N91, 500 contained in a customised ATM cards.
The food palliatives distributed to each of them included 25kg bags of rice, 12kg bags of beans 12kg bags of gari, and five -litre kegs of palm oil and groundnut Oil.
Aside this, the Red Cross also donated a borehole to each of the five communities
The cash disbursement and distribution of the food items event on Saturday was supervised by Alhaji Dauda Muhammed, Assistant Coordinator, Disaster Management, NRCS.
Speaking, Mohammed said the assistance was targeted at the most vulnerable victims of the flood disaster.
He said the aim was to support them to regain their life balance after going through harrowing experiences occasioned by the flood disaster.
The Director said similar event was going in five other states of Adamawa, Anambra, Kebbi, Rivers, Oyo, saying 3, 500 victims will benefit from assistance.
He expressed hope that the money and the food items would bring some relief to the victims and help them stabilise.
Earlier, the Kogi State branch Chairman of NRCS, Mr Benjamin Ajodo said the distribution of the cash and food support was preceded by on-the-spot assessment and inventory of structures and items affected by the flood disaster in the five communities.
He applauded the National headquarters of the Red Cross for coming to the aid of the victims.
In a goodwill message, the traditional ruler of Ajaokuta, Onu of Ajaokuta, Ibrahim Mustapha Aye-oba,
Commended the Red Cross for making the project a reality.
He said the cash and food items would go a long way in mitigating the plight of the victims.
