Displaced Nigerians receiving little support — Red Cross

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRCS, has appealed for more support to aid the internally displaced persons, IDPs, in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.

The International Federation had in November 2014, launched a N480 million emergency appeal fund to support IDPs in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

The Operation Manager and Health Delegate, IFRCS, Samuel Matoka, made the call in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, only 25 per cent of the amount has so far been redeemed with a higher percentage coming from international organisations.

He said there was an urgent need for Nigerians to take possession of the interventions if the balance of 75 per cent would be met.

According to Mr. Matoka, the emergency appeal was to assist 150,000 beneficiaries in the three affected states.

The manager said the fund was targeted at providing relief materials, water and sanitation facilities as well as psychosocial support for the IDPs.

He said Nigerian branch of the federation in collaboration with its partners had already distributed 960 metric tonnes of food and non-food items to 51,000 people in Maiduguri alone.

In another interview, Nwakpa Okorie, Head, Communications, Nigeria Red Cross Society, NRCS, said the organisation was also involved in the management of IDPs across the country.

Mr. Okorie said so far NRCS has trained personnel on disaster management and prevention and mobile technology, among other areas of disaster management.

“Nigeria Red Cross stands out as the only organisation that has unfettered access to almost everywhere in the North-East.

“We can reach more people and communities if the resources are made available to us.

“We therefore appeal to all Nigerians and international organisations to support the emergency appeal in order to give succour to the victims. (NAN)