The Abia State Government, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has flagged off the distribution of relief materials to individuals and communities affected by windstorms, fire outbreaks, and erosion in Aba South, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, and Obingwa Local Government Areas.
The relief items distributed include 25kg bags of rice, beans, spaghetti, seasoning cubes, tomato paste, vegetable oil, iodized salt, and other essential food items.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Sunny Jackson, said that the state government received reports of the disasters and immediately informed NEMA for intervention. He explained that officials from NEMA and SEMA carried out a joint rapid assessment of the affected communities to determine the extent of the damage and identify the needs of the victims.
Dr. Jackson commended NEMA for its prompt response, noting that the relief materials would help reduce the hardship faced by residents affected by the disasters. He emphasized that the items were not meant to replace properties and valuables lost during the incidents but were provided to lessen the impact of the disasters and offer immediate support to victims.
He also praised Governor Dr. Alex Otti for his commitment to disaster management, describing him as a leader who takes issues affecting disaster victims seriously and ensures that necessary assistance reaches those in need.
Dr. Jackson urged representatives of the affected communities to ensure that the relief materials are distributed fairly and transparently to the intended beneficiaries.
Handing over the materials to the state government, the Head of Operations of NEMA for Imo and Abia States, Mr. Igwe Nnamdi, said the intervention was aimed at cushioning the effects of the disasters on the affected victims and helping them recover from their losses.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Chinatu Elee from Aba South Local Government Area expressed gratitude to the Abia State Government and NEMA for their swift intervention. He assured that the relief materials would be distributed to those genuinely affected by the disasters in their communities.
