The Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS) has commenced disbursement of N45.7million to 1,500 victims of the 2022 flood disaster in nine communities in Kogi State.
Each of the victims is receiving N30,500 from the NRCS to cushion the effects of the flood disaster on their families and means of livelihood.
The financial assistance to the victims is with the support of the British Red Cross through the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC).
The 1,500 beneficiaries were selected across three local governments areas of Lokoja, Kogi and Ibaji.
The three local governments are impacted yearly by floods because of their geographic location.
As a result, victims are usually rendered homeless, experience loss of livelihoods, loss of lives, and properties worth millions of naira.
The NRCS in Kogi State, said 500 of the beneficiaries are from Gbongboro, Budon, Eggan and Kinami communities in Lokoja local government area of the state.
Similarly 500 beneficiaries were selected from Okelebe, Odaki and Ukwo communities in Kogi local government area of the state while another 500 beneficiaries were selected from Odogwu, Unale and Itoduma communities in ibaji local government area.
The NRCS teams are currently in Lokoja local government area where the fund is being simultaneously disbursed to 500 beneficiaries from Budon, Eggan and Kinami communities.
The 1,500 beneficiaries are mostly women, aged persons and people living with disabilities.
Flagging off the disbursement of the funds in Ibaji local government , the branch secretary of the NRCS in Kogi State, Alhaji Danjuma Usman, admonished the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the financial assistance.
Usman said the money was given to them to cushion the effects of the flood disaster on their lives and to restart their livelihoods.
He warned them against fallen victims of dubious elements who will approach them to bring part of the money.
He advised them to raise alarm and report through the feedback phone number given to them or the nearest police station anyone pestering them for a part of the money.
Also speaking in the same vein, NRCS ICT Officer from the Abuja Headquarters, Mr Ahmed Bolaji, said it is not in the character of the Red Cross to give financial assistance and send its officers to come and collect part of it. He sternly warned the beneficiaries not to fall victims of fraudsters.
Also speaking at the event, the acting chairman of Ibaji local government, Mr Ijala Gabriel thanked the NRCS for bringing succour to the flood victims.
Gabriel was particularly happy that the NRCS used the yuletide period to give the financial assistance, described the timing as good and appropriate.
Also speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mr Danladi Uko from Unale community in Ibaji local government, expressed gratitude to the NRCS for coming to their aid.
He said the intervention came at a critical period when the effects of the flood disaster and effects of fuel subsidy removal was having negative effects on them.
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