Our major challenges in Anambra are insecurity, flood - Nigerian Red Cross

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By Madu Obi

The Nigerian Red Cross Society has identified insecurity and flooding as the major challenges in carrying out its mandate in Anambra State and solicited assistance from stakeholders.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark this year's World Red Cross Day in Anambra State, the Executive Branch Secretary of the organization, Mr. Kingsley Okoye, said that because of insecurity in parts of the state, some people could not benefit optimally from the services of the Red Cross, while the yearly flood in eight local government areas of the state usually stretches the resources of the organization.

He said that in the past one year, the Red Cross received funding to support disasters in Awka-North and Ogbaru local government areas, where the organization's intervention impacted no fewer than 1,000 households.

Okoye added that Red Cross also sank four boreholes in four local government areas of Ogbaru, Anambra East, Anambra West and Awka North and shared relief materials to 1,000 women.

Similarly, cash of N30,000 each was shared to needy people for three months, while 1,500 households in Ayamelum, Anambra West and Ogbaru were given kits with support received from the European Union Civil Humanitarian body.

He stated that surgical equipment and other non consumables were also distributed to 11health centers as part of the Red Cross health intervention programme.

In her address, the state chairman of the society, Professor Charity Emelie , explained that the mission of the Nigerian Red Cross is to alleviate the situation of the vulnerable people affected by disaster, epidemics, armed conflicts and the poorest communities in both the urban and rural areas, including the hard -to- reach places.

"The fundamental principles, which are humanity, impartiality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality sum up the movement ethics and are at the core of the Red Cross mission,' she stated.