The Abia State Government, in Collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has begun the direct distribution of food and non-food relief materials to victims of gully erosion and windstorm disasters in Umuahia South and Ohafia Local Government Areas of the state.
The relief items are aimed at helping affected families and communities cope with the impact of the disasters and providing immediate support to those who lost property or were affected by the incidents.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr. Sunny Jackson, said the agencies carried out a joint rapid assessment of the affected communities after receiving reports of the disasters.
Dr. Jackson explained that the assessment helped the agencies identify the needs of the affected persons and communities, adding that the relief materials would help reduce the hardship caused by the disasters.
He commended the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for creating an enabling environment that allows relevant agencies to respond quickly to emergencies across the state.
The SEMA boss also appreciated NEMA for its prompt intervention and support towards assisting the affected communities.
While officially handing over the relief materials to the state government, the Acting Head of Operations, Imo and Abia, Mr. Innocent Nweze, said the intervention followed approval granted by the Presidency through NEMA to provide assistance to victims of the disasters.
Nweze said the exercise was part of efforts to support communities affected by natural disasters and help them recover from the immediate effects.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Comrade Ndubuisi Ume-Ado from Ohafia expressed appreciation to the state and federal governments for coming to the aid of the affected communities.
He, however, appealed to the Federal Government to take stronger and lasting measures to address recurring disasters such as gully erosion and windstorms.
According to him, the continued occurrence of such disasters has caused hardship, damaged property and affected the livelihoods of residents in many communities.
He urged the relevant authorities to go beyond emergency relief and focus on long-term measures that would reduce the impact of such disasters on communities in the future.
