NGOS donate food items to flood victims in Rivers
some non-governmental organisations in Rivers state have donated food items, drugs and beddings to flood victims in some communities in the state.
emem Okon, executive director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, who led the group on the mission to ahoada and other Internally Displaced Persons ( IDP) camps in the state, said they were there to have first hand knowledge on how the people are managing their lives at the different camps and see how they can contribute to alleviate the suffering of the flood victims.
she observed that women in the camp need privacy and protection.
Okon called on government to put a sustainable solution to the flooding problem, noting that Niger Delta is vulnerable to climate change.
The activist also called on african leaders to discuss the issue of climate change at its forthcoming conference in egypt.
she maintained that there should be early warning signal, and urged stakeholders to adopt mitigation and adaptation strategies, while calling on well to do individuals to reach out to the victims.
Welcoming the group into the community, Udu Napoleon, a community leader, expressed concern on the suffering of the people, while appealing to government and its agencies to come to their aid.
“The people are suffering, government should come to our aid , they should not forget us”, he said.
Charity Olumini from Ubio community in ahoada said they have been in the camp since October 11, 2022, noting that have a sad experience, as there is no better food, no drugs, no mosquito net, no foam and only two bags of rice for over 100 people.
Olumini further narrated how she was asked to buy paracetamol when she was sick in the camp. “We cook general food for everyone, but men and women are also in the same camp, no privacy for the women”, she stated.
Patience Goodluck with six children said that the flood pushed her and her Children from their home.
Others who spoke to journalists at the camp, explained that they lack daily items like soap, drugs, food items and water, saying that they need government assistance, as some of their houses have fallen to the heavy flood, especially in Ubio community.
some of the communities badly affected according to sources are Ibras, Obrama and Ogoda.
some pregnant women and persons with disabilities were also sighted in the camp
However, Confidence Blessing and Nice Gift, nursing mothers, who gave birth at the camp and their babies are without proper care.