The ECOWAS Commission on Monday in Abuja donated 382,000 dollars (about N61 million) to assist flood victims in Nigeria.
ECOWAS Commission President Kadre Quedraogo, who presented the cheque to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Olugbenga Ashiru, said the donation was to alleviate the suffering of the victims.
“We hope that this fund will come in addition to the support given by the Nigerian government and enhance delivery of assistance to the victims.
“It is an expression of solidarity, goodwill and concern for the suffering of the affected people,” he said.
Ouedraogo explained that the region was facing enormous challenges arising from political crisis, flood disaster and food insecurity.
According to him, the development has negative impact on member states.
“We are thriving to build the resilience of ECOWAS countries and empower our people and structures to be better prepared and resist the consequences of humanitarian disasters,” he said.
Responding, Ashiru thanked the commission for the act of solidarity.
“This ceremony is a true demonstration of the fact that we are our brothers’ keepers, in the true spirit of our African tradition where the misfortune of one becomes the shared misfortune of the community as a whole.
“The disaster occasioned by the flood that have inundated parts of our country, sweeping away whole communities, farmlands and grazing fields, is truly massive and such that every help and assistance is welcome.
“It is for this reason that we truly appreciate the gesture by the ECOWAS Commission,’’ Ashiru said.
According to the minister, the federal and state governments have taken and are still taking measures to ameliorate the suffering of the victims.
He said the donation would go a long way in helping the victims.
In his remarks, Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Sidi, Director-General, National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), said the recent flood disaster had affected 32 states.
Sani-Sidi said the flood had led to the loss of lives, destruction of properties, breakdown of infrastructure and washing away of farmlands and displacement of about 2,157,419 persons.
The director-general called for a joint action and collaboration across the ECOWAS sub-region to build the required capacity needed for proactive mitigation, preparedness and response.
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