An NGO, Save the Children International (SCI), has disbursed cash assistance and hygiene kits to victims of flood disaster in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was done in partnership with Save Mothers and Children Initiative (SMACI) another NGO.
The victims comprised men and women households affected by the flood disaster from Arkilla, Tsakuwa and Morai communities in the LGA.
Presenting the items to the beneficiaries in Talata Mafara on Wednesday, the Programme Manager SMACI, Mr Ibrahim Ahmed, said the gesture was aimed to prevent the communities from cholera outbreak and other diseases related to flood disaster.
“You know during the immediate last rainy season there was a serious flood disaster across the state and Talata Mafara is one of the LGAs affected by the disaster.
“You know, after the flood disaster, outbreak of diseases normally followed, this support is aimed to promote the hygienic condition of these communities.
“The hygiene kits comprised toiletries, washing materials, water buckets and jerrycans among others,” Ahmed said.
He added that each of the 500 beneficiaries received cash assistance of N90,000 to support their livelihood.
According to him, the NGOs had earlier conducted a sensitisation programme to the victims on the dangers associated with flood disaster.
Ahmed said, “We conducted fumigation exercise and rehabilitation of water sources in the affected communities.”
He called on the victims to utilise the items and funds in a right manner in order to be useful to them.
In a remark, the Emir of Talata Mafara, Alhaji Bello Muhammad-Barmo, commended the NGOs for selecting the communities under his emirate for the project.
Muhammad-Barmo assured sustained support to the activities of the NGOs for promoting social protection and preventing the vulnerable groups, especially women and children from the disaster.
He commended Zamfara Government for providing an enabling environment to the NGOs and donor organisations to implement various development projects in the state.
The traditional ruler lamented that the disaster had rendered thousands of people homeless in the affected communities, especially women and children.
“We are appealing to governments at all levels, partners and well-meaning individuals to emulate the NGOs by providing support to the victims.
“We are therefore calling on the beneficiaries to utilise the items and funds given to you in a right manner in order to be useful for you,” the emir added.
The representative of the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Alhaji Shehu Muhammad and that of the Health Department of the , Abubakar Abdullahi commended the NGOs for their concern to protect the lives of the victims.
They assured commitment from their respective offices to continue partnering with NGOs in disaster prevention and management.
Muhammad Abubakar and Aisha Shehu, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries,.described the assistance as a welcome development.
They promised to utilise the items and funds given to them for their benefits.(NAN)
