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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other stakeholders, has launched a flood simulation exercise in six local government areas and 12 communities in Kebbi State to help avert frequent boat mishaps.
The exercise took place in Yauri town — where 14 people died a few days ago in a boat mishap during a wedding procession — as well as Ngaski and Shanga local government areas, among others.
The Nigerian Red Cross Society, alongside RUNTOWA, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), gathered on the bank of the Yauri River to demonstrate to residents how to rescue and resuscitate drowning victims.
Speaking on the exercise, a Disaster Management Officer at the NRCS Headquarters in Abuja, Mrs Nwaoha E. Charity, explained that the project is being implemented by the IFRC and sponsored by European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO).
According to her, “the purpose of this exercise cannot be over emphasised. All of us can attest to the fact that every year, we usually have the recurrence of flood disaster across Nigeria, of which Yauri is not excluded. So, the Nigeria Red Cross came with this flood simulation exercise in collaboration with other disaster management stakeholders whom you can see here.
“We came together to address this annual disaster — that flooding and frequent boat mishaps which usually claim the lives of many people. Part of the role of Red Cross is to embark on sensitisation, which we have taken it upon ourselves. This project is called ‘early warning, early action’.
“We are trying to prepare our people so that they could be proactive in case flood does occur, so that they would be able to know what to do, how they could respond to emergency and save victims involved in the disaster.”
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Speaking on the number of communities, Charity disclosed that the project has taken place in three LGAs of Kogi State and six LGAs in Kebbi, with 12 communities fully engaged, while they would be moving to Bayelsa State next, where three LGAs and six communities would be engaged.
“Already, we have done the same in nine states on the same project, flood simulation exercise. Few days ago, we were in Yauri to train our volunteers on disaster risk reduction. As we are here now, the volunteers are all over in many communities, going from one house to another, from markets to mosques, to sensitise people about the danger of flood — what they can do before, during and after the flooding.
“So, Red Cross is everywhere to find solutions and resolve the suffering that follows flooding every year in collaboration with other stakeholders.”
The Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society in Kebbi State, Abdullahi Ibrahim Ngaski, explained that the project was meant to build community resilience and provide proactive measures, especially in Yauri town, where many activities take place on the water every day.
He noted that if all stakeholders — especially law enforcement agencies — played their roles and discharged their responsibilities on safety in riverine communities alongside other NGOs, the lives and properties of citizens would be better protected against flooding and incessant boat mishaps.
In his reaction, the District Head of Yelwa, Alhaji Abubakar Saidu Abairshi, the Ubandoman Yauri, commended the Nigerian Red Cross Society for undertaking the project, stressing that his people would benefit a lot.
Representatives of the Nigeria Police (marine unit), HYPPADEC, NIWA, FRSC and the National Inland Waterways Authority, Yauri Area Office, participated in the flood simulation exercise demonstration, among others.
