UNFPA offers relief materials to flood victims in Nigeria

UNFPA offers relief materials to flood victims in Nigeria
By Muhammad S. Tola
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Abuja, Sept. 27, 2018 (NAN) The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says it is supporting victims of recent flood disaster in parts of the country with more than 5,700 various relief items.
The Media Associate of the fund in Nigeria, Mrs Kori Habib, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
The statement explained that the intervention was specifically meant for women and girls, especially pregnant women and lactating mothers.
According to UNFPA, the support has been distributed through the federal Ministry of Health to the beneficiaries in the four worst affected states of Niger, Kogi, Anambra and Delta.
It listed the relief items to include dignity kits for pregnant and lactating mothers, sleeping mats and wrappers for women.
“UNFPA also supported the Federal Ministry of Health to conduct a rapid assessment to enable the sector identify the level of support needed for urgent response.
“UNFPA responded with the provision of critical live saving materials in addressing the need of women and girls.
“UNFPA is doing its part by providing life-saving reproductive healthcare to women in crisis-affected countries, safe spaces for women and girls, and services for survivors of sexual violence.
“With the support of the entire humanitarian community, we can dramatically reduce the risks faced every day by millions of women and girls in flooding context,’’ the statement read in part.
It explained that the assistance was in response to a call for support to flood victims by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The fund noted that serious flooding has affected at least 12 states in the country, with rural areas being the most vulnerable, since the end of August this year.
The affected states include Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Edo, Kebbi, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Rivers and Taraba.
“More than 100 people have been killed in recent weeks, with the latest flood alert from the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA),
“indicating that rising water levels of Niger and Benue rivers will cause severe flooding – likely to surpass the worst flooding crisis in 2012, when over seven million were affected across the twelve states,’’ the statement added.
NAN recalls that the federal government has on Sept. 17 declared the flood as a national disaster and appealed for global support for victims.
The incidents of flooding have continued to wreak havoc, including mass displacements, deaths and destruction of homes and communities across the country. (NAN)
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