Imo Catholic priest urges Nigerians, NGOs to assist flood victims

• Foundation donates relief materials to Anambra victims
A prominent Catholic priest, Fr. Magnus Ebere (SDV), popularly known as Fr. E-dey Work, has appealed to Nigerians to do what they can to assist those affected by recent ravaging floods across the country.

Fr. Ebere is a Nigerian born Catholic priest of the Society of Divine Vocations (SDV), who is the Spiritual Director of Canaanland Adoration Ministries Worldwide, with its headquarters in Umuoma Onicha, Mbaise, in Imo State and Nnobi, Anambra State.

In a statement, yesterday, the priest noted that it is time Nigerians ignored their differences and join government, as well as other organisations, to help families hit by the floods.

The cleric urged medical associations, nationwide, to continue visiting areas affected by the floods, treating those with certain ailments as a result infections arising from their living conditions.

He said: “There is no gift that is too small for a man in need. Let us not wait for so much when the little we can do will go a long way.

“Those with extra houses and rooms can offer accommodation to victims, thereby, reducing the pressure on the make-shift camps where many of them are currently residing.”

The Guardian reports that the number of people affected by the floods across Nigeria had risen to over 3.2 million, with over 600 fatalities, while over 1.4 million people have been displaced. 34 out of the country’s 36 states had been affected.

Also, over 569,000 hectares of farmland have been destroyed due to damages from the floods.

The International Federation of the Red Cross/Red Crescent (IFRC) issued a Floods Emergency Appeal of CHF 13 million (U.S. $13 million) to provide clean water, emergency shelter and cash to half a million people in several states.

Access remains a challenge in some affected areas and some isolated communities could only be reached by boat, delaying response.

The priest, however, said that more needs to be done in the area of health assistance to victims, especially, women and children of affected families.

He said: “Having been to some areas in Imo affected by these floods, the devastation witnessed is appalling.

“It will dissolve the hardest hearts to behold what victims of these floods are going through.

“As a ministry, whose interest is wellbeing of humanity, our plan, in the next few days, is to revisit the affected flood victims, and take relief materials to as many as we can; but this can not be enough.

“Yes, even if our compassion will go a long way; there is need for all Nigerians to be intentional in changing our value system, and make sacrificial efforts towards one another, especially in times like this.”

He further appealed to Non-Governmental Organisations, as well as international bodies/communities for assistance.

MEANWHILE, a non-Governmental Organisation, Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, has donated food items, beddings and others materials to flood victims in Anambra State aimed at improving their lives.

Making the donation at the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), yesterday, the Chief of Staff to Emeka Offor, who sponsored the foundation, AIG Chris Ezike(rtd), disclosed that the items donated include: 600 bags of 50kg rice, 60 bags of 50kgs of beans, 60 bags of 50kg of garri, 500 pieces of 3ft 6inches of mattresses, 500 cartons of Indomie Noodles, 600 tubers of yams and 50 cartoons of tomatoes.

Others include: 30 cartons of bathing soap, 30 cartons of washing soap, 30 jerry canes of palm oil, 30 cartons of Milo beverages, 30 cartons of milk, 50 gallons of vegetables oil, 10 bags of salt and 10 cartons of Maggi cubes.

He also stated that the foundation has shared N2.5 million to affected victims in various councils of the state, adding that the foundation is passionate about helping the poor and the needy in the society.