Over 1,100 households affected by the 2024 flood disaster in Kogi State have received essential relief supplies through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) project, facilitated by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Abdullahi Abubakar, the Acting Secretary of the Nigeria Red Cross, Kogi State Branch, shared the update on Saturday during a visit to the flood-impacted Edegaki Community in Kogi Local Government Area. Abubakar explained that the ECHO project had already provided various humanitarian aids in response to the flood, and this visit aimed to gather feedback from beneficiaries on how they had utilized the distributed items.
He further mentioned that the ECHO initiative had supported flood recovery efforts in Kogi, Delta, and Anambra states, reaching thousands of affected households. A total of 1,100 households in the three hardest-hit local government areas—Idah, Kogi, and Lokoja—received assistance under this intervention.
The distributed items included 20-liter jerrycans, buckets, Aqua tabs, and ATM cards preloaded with N77,000 for each family. In Idah, three communities—Alla-Ogane, Alla-Atenoguma, and Alla-Ichala—comprising 300 households, were supported. Lokoja saw the distribution of supplies to four communities—Galilee, Sarkin Noma, Edo, and Kampe—reaching 400 households, while in Kogi Local Government Area, 400 households across Ogbangede, Irenodu, Onumaye/Edimose, and Edegaki benefited.
Abubakar explained that beneficiaries were chosen based on specific criteria, including elderly individuals (60+), the sick, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. The most flood-affected communities in each of the three local government areas were prioritized.
He also highlighted the efforts taken to reach the most vulnerable, noting, “We used two speedboats to access the affected communities, ensuring that the most impacted individuals received the help they needed. Our selection criteria allowed us to focus on those most in need.”
In response, Alh. Ahmed Ibrahim, Assistant Community Leader of Edegaki and also a beneficiary, expressed gratitude to ECHO, the Nigeria Red Cross, and their partners for the timely assistance. Ibrahim shared that flooding was a recurring problem for their community and thanked the Red Cross for not only providing relief supplies but also offering training on how to effectively use them.
He added, “This community has always been severely affected by floods. In the past, we were promised help from various NGOs, but it often never materialized. We are truly grateful to the Nigeria Red Cross for making sure we received this aid and for supporting us through this difficult time.”
