20101023
africanews

The National Red Cross Societies of Benin, Ghana and Nigeria received a sum of over $600,000 to assist a total of 40,000 people most affected by recent floods in the three West African countries.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies had approved the release of the amount from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund after it expressed concern over the level of human and material loss suffered in several localities in the three countries over recent weeks.

“Torrential rains have destroyed homes, leaving thousands homeless while crops and livestock were damaged with the affected communities facing an uncertain future. Apart from the support provided, the IFRC is carefully monitoring the situation” says Jerry Niati of the IFRC West Coast Regional Representation.

A statement by IFRC said "The three Red Cross National Societies of the affected countries will use the funds provided by the International Federation to support the most affected people with basic relief needs like blankets, sleeping mats, insecticide treated bed nets, water treatment tablets, jerry cans as well as sanitation and hygiene kits."

Breakdown of funds

Emergency funds as released to each National Society showed Benin received 191,773 US dollars, Ghana: 124,389 US dollars, and Nigeria: 312,896 US dollars.

Measures against Cholera problem

Communication Officer of Nigeria's Red Cross Society Seyi Soremekun told Africanews that a consignment of drugs for cholera is due this weekend in Nigeria "to be deployed to the vulnerable areas especially in the northern part of the country, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kebbi and maybe parts of Borno and other places where there are emergencies."

Soremekun said at present, the Red Cross has a team in Jigawa state who are also there partnering with other agencies in respect of these floods and health emergencies arising from it. He said the organisation had intervened with others following a cholera outbreak in some parts of northern Nigeria some weeks ago.