Economic Community for West African States, (ECOWAS), has presented two cheques worth $1, 906, 205, about N2.9bn, as humanitarian support for persons affected by violence and floods in Nigeria
ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Professor Fatima Sow-Sarr, made this known at an inception meeting to commence the ‘ECOWAS Projects for Humanitarian Response for Affected Population for Post 2022 Flood Disaster and Food and Nutrition Assistance and Other Support to Vulnerable People in Northern Nigeria, Phase Two’, on Thursday in Abuja.
She said the ECOWAS is presenting two cheques to support two separate humanitarian projects to be managed separately by the Nigerian Red Cross Society, (NRCS) and the Word Bank in partnership with the federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Professor Sow-Sarr pointed out that “ECOWAS’ Humanitarian Assistance targets the very vulnerable Nigerians who we classify as Persons of Concern (POC).
“These persons who are victims of one sort of disaster or other sorts of unfortunate events that have caused deaths, forced displacements, loss of properties and livelihoods or are potentially exposed to calamities mean a lot to us and we are continually concerned about ameliorating their conditions.”
She added that “the ECOWAS Commission will present cheques for response to the flood disaster, (906,205 USD), that afflicted Nigeria in 2022 as well as a cheque to support victims of violence in Nigeria in 2023 (1,000,000 USD) towards the stabilisation of those persons of concern.
“Nigeria was accordingly allocated $906,205 and without doubt, received the highest amount among the Member States due to the impact of the flooding.”
The first cheque of $906, 205 was presented to the NRCS as a humanitarian response for the affected population of post-2022 flood disaster in Adamawa, Kogi, Kebbi, Oyo, Rivers and Anambra states respectively, while the second cheque of $1m was given to the World Bank as food and nutrition assistance and other support to vulnerable people in Northern Nigeria, Phase two.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Abel Enitan, said that the ECOWAS intervention will go a long way in boosting the federal government’s drive to alleviate the suffering of vulnerable populations in Nigeria.
Represented by the Director, Special Duties, in the ministry, Agnes Aneke, he said, “It is worthy to note that the outcome of the intervention would be that the immediate needs of the target communities are met through the provision of Essential Household Items, (EHIs), including food and Non-food Items.
“Furthermore, provision of shelter and VIP latrine needs of affected persons should have been met through this intervention as well as water supply in the selected communities should have been met at the expiration of the project thereby raising awareness regarding the anticipated flood in 2024 within and outside the selected States.”
Secretary General of the NRCS, Abubakar Kende, who was represented by the Director, Disaster Management of the agency, Benson Agbro, said “Last year the NRCS signed a tripartite agreement with ECOWAS and the humanitarian ministry in support of vulnerable households in flood affected communities in Adamawa, Anambra, Oyo, Kebbi, Kogi and Rivers states and ECOWAS is supporting this laudable initiative with $906, 205.”
