The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has provided financial assistance worth over N304 million to 5,000 victims of the 2024 flood disaster in Jigawa State.
Flagging off the distribution in Auyo town, headquarters of Auyo Local Government Area, NRCS President Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga stated that the initiative aimed to support the most vulnerable groups, including widows, persons with disabilities, child-headed households, pregnant women, and displaced families.
According to Adeaga, beneficiaries were drawn from three local government areas, Auyo, Kirikasamma, and Malam Madori.
“In the midst of diversity, we’ve reaffirmed our commitment by supporting 11,500 beneficiaries across 13 states in Nigeria. That’s not just a number; it represents 11,500 stories of hope, opportunities to rebuild, and reasons to believe in human compassion,” he said.
He further explained that in Jigawa, 5,000 families were registered for assistance. Of these, 3,000 families will receive agricultural aid worth N150 million to improve their farm yields, while 2,000 others will get cash assistance amounting to N154 million, bringing the total disbursement to N304 million.
Nationwide Cash Assistance Program Set for 2025
Adeaga noted that the NRCS launched an anticipatory flood response project to assist vulnerable communities in Jigawa, aiming to mitigate the impact of future floods. Communities in Auyo, Kirikasamma, and Malam Madori LGAs were assessed and registered as part of the intervention for the 2024 flood response.
He emphasized that the nationwide initiative, set to continue in 2025, will provide Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) to 11,500 validated beneficiaries across 13 states, including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, Enugu, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara. The initiative aims to ensure efficient and transparent delivery of aid.
Dr. Nuraddeen Abdullahi, representing the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), praised the NRCS for complementing public authorities in humanitarian efforts. He noted that the agency had recently distributed essential relief materials, including food and non-food items, to affected families in 18 LGAs within Jigawa.
Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, represented by Dr. Muhammad Bello, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, expressed gratitude to the NRCS for its humanitarian intervention. He stated that the support would not only bring relief to victims but also aid in their gradual recovery and the restoration of their livelihoods.
NRCS Jigawa Branch Chairman Bala Chamo disclosed that 1,200 victims from Auyo, 2,000 from Malam Madori, and 1,800 from Kirikasamma will benefit from the financial aid. He added that 3,000 recipients would receive N50,000 each under agricultural assistance, while 2,000 victims would get N77,000 under cash assistance.
Chairman of Auyo LGA, Bilya Ahmed, commended the Red Cross for its support, noting that the aid would significantly alleviate the suffering of the affected communities.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Hajiya Duniya Manu and Jafaru, expressed their appreciation for the assistance and pledged to use the funds wisely to rebuild their lives.
