November 03, (THEWILL) — The Nigerian Red Cross Society has distributed Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) materials to 300 flood-affected persons in Sokoto State, as part of ongoing efforts to promote clean environments and prevent waterborne diseases.
The intervention, funded by the Italian government under the Respond, Resilience, and Recovery (RRR) project, covered three flood-prone communities and provided non-food relief items, such as buckets, jerry cans, mosquito nets, blankets, and Aquatabs (water purification tablets).
Speaking during the distribution exercise at an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Sokoto, the Red Cross State Disaster Management Coordinator, Gabriel Nashon, said the initiative was designed to support affected families with essential hygiene items that promote clean environments and prevent waterborne diseases.
He said that over the years, many communities in Sokoto have suffered from seasonal flooding, saying that “our goal is to help them stay safe and healthy by ensuring access to clean water and improved sanitation, thereby reducing the risk of cholera, malaria, and other diseases.”
He added that the intervention complements previous preparedness activities carried out in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and local stakeholders.
Earlier, the Red Cross had conducted a flood simulation exercise in the Kofar Kware community to educate residents on emergency response techniques during flooding.
“We demonstrated how people can safely evacuate themselves, their families, and belongings when the river overflows”, Nashon explained.
To enhance early warning systems, the organisation also installed a river gauge in the community to help residents monitor water levels.
“The device is simple to read—even an elderly person can tell when the water reaches the red mark, signalling the need to start evacuation”, he added.
Nashon further advised residents in riverine areas to establish Community Disaster Management Committees (CDMCs) to improve coordination with response agencies and facilitate timely relief efforts. He also urged communities to consider long-term relocation from high-risk zones.
Sokoto State Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Alhaji Abubakar Chika Ainu, appealed to the beneficiaries to make good use of the items provided, while reiterating the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service.
Also speaking, the Red Cross Branch Disaster Management Officer, Shehu Dange, assured that the organisation would continue to mobilise resources and partner with government and development agencies to support vulnerable populations across the state.
“We remain committed to complementing the government’s social welfare priorities and ensuring that affected communities receive timely assistance”, Dange said.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
