The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has donated 3,500 bags of 25-kilogramme rice to the Abia State Government to support residents affected by flooding in different communities across the state.
The donation is aimed at providing food assistance to families who have been affected by the floods and are facing difficulties as a result of the destruction of their homes, farmlands, food supplies and other valuable belongings.
The intervention is also expected to reduce the hardship facing affected households and provide some relief to families struggling to meet their daily needs following the flooding.
Receiving the relief materials on behalf of the state government and the affected communities, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Sunny Jackson, expressed appreciation to the Commission for its kind gesture.
Dr Jackson described the donation as a welcome development, noting that the support would go a long way in assisting residents affected by the disaster. He assured the Commission that the items would be distributed to the affected communities.
He further stressed that the state government would ensure that the rice reaches the people who genuinely need assistance, adding that the distribution process would be properly handled to ensure that the relief materials serve their intended purpose.
He also commended Governor Alex Otti for providing an enabling environment for effective emergency response and disaster management in Abia State.
According to him, the state government remains committed to supporting residents affected by natural disasters and ensuring that necessary steps are taken to reduce the hardship caused by such emergencies.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development of SEDC, Dr Cliff Ogbede, explained that the donation followed a request by SEMA for emergency assistance to address the serious impact of flooding on several communities in Abia State.
Dr Ogbede said the Commission considered the request important and decided to provide immediate support to help reduce the suffering of the affected residents.
He further disclosed that the Commission had also procured 450 mattresses and 700 cartons of diapers and sanitary products for the flood victims.
He explained that the additional relief materials would be delivered to the state soon to provide further assistance to affected families, particularly women, children and other vulnerable residents who may need special support.
The SEDC official expressed sympathy with families who had suffered losses as a result of the flooding. He noted that the Commission understands the difficulties faced by affected communities and remains concerned about their welfare.
He also praised Governor Alex Otti for his developmental efforts in Abia State, describing him as an important pillar of growth and development in the South-East region.
The donation is expected to provide some relief to affected families, especially those who have lost food supplies and other household items to the floods.
Beyond the immediate food assistance, the additional mattresses, diapers and sanitary products will also help address some of the basic needs of families struggling to recover from the disaster.
The intervention further highlights the importance of cooperation between government agencies and development institutions in responding to emergencies and supporting communities in times of need.
The Abia State Government is expected to work through SEMA to ensure that the relief materials are distributed to the affected communities based on their needs.
The handover ceremony was attended by a former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Stanley Ohajuruka, and other dignitaries.
