Minna – The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Tuesday donated relief materials to 371 victims of disasters in seven local government areas of Niger.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victims were those affected by windstorm, fire and flood which occurred last month in the state.
Mr Slaku Lugard, the NEMA Coordinator in Niger, said the affected council areas were Suleja, Paikoro, Katcha, Borgu, Gurara, Bosso and Chanchaga.
He also said items donated included cloth, roofing sheets, zinc nails, rice, maize, millet, guinea corn, sugar, detergent, mosquito nets, plastic buckets, palm oil and beverages.
“We received a report from the agency’s Desk Officer informing us of disaster occurrence.
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“The agency did an assessment on the seven affected local governments and persons involved.
“We then wrote the agency’s Head Office and relief materials were approved and today, we are distributing them to victims in accordance to the kind of disaster.
“We are carrying out the distribution exercise ourselves to ensure the items get to the actual victims because in NEMA, especially in Niger, we don’t allow political interference,” he said.
Lugard also that the agency would collaborate with the State Emergency Management Agency and the affected local council administrations to sensitise residents on disaster management.
“NEMA has what is called disaster risk management volunteers.
“ Usually, we train volunteers in each local government on how to tackle and manage disasters on their own,” he said.
Mr David Isah, a beneficiary in Suleja, expressed gratitude to the agency for providing the relief materials.
“I lost all my properties in a fire incident. Today, I am very happy to receive these items from NEMA,’’ he told NAN.
Another victim, Mrs Laraba Obadiah, said a windstorm removed the roof of her house.
Obadiah, a widow said:“ “I thank God and thank NEMA for providing us these items which will go a long way in assisting us.’’ (NAN)
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