Disaster: ‘We Are Overwhelmed’ – Red Cross Cries Out

The Nigerian Red Cross Society has decried rising cases of floods and other disasters, stating that despite high number of volunteers, many hands and resources are still needed.

The president of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga, stated this in Lagos during the 2024 annual fundraising and gala night held on Saturday.

Adeaga stated that currently, Nigerian Red Cross has over 800,000 volunteers across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. He explained that this number is nowhere near the capacity to address the humanitarian challenges coming up in the country daily.

“By the time we divide these 800,000 volunteers across the 36 states and the FCT, we are nowhere near our capacity to address the challenges,” Adeaga said.

He continued, “Apart from Borno which has become a vocal point, there are several other states that are affected by flood.

“I am calling on all of us to please team up with the Nigerian Red Cross Society. You can join us because this is a noble call. There is no money there but you have the grace of God. It doesn’t take money to do good.”

The Nigerian Red Cross Society president explained that “there are too many tasks to do and that is what has brought us here. In Maiduguri alone, I don’t know how much we can sink into the humanitarian challenges there that can cope with the level of destruction.

“In Maiduguri alone, we are not talking of Zamfara, we are not talking of what is happening in Niger, not to talk of what is happening in Osun even where I come from, Ibadan, also had its own portion last week.

“We have a lot of cases, a lot of issues that are arising. My dear brothers and sisters, we are overwhelmed. We are not asking only for donations, we are also appealing for other resources- human resources and infrastructural resources because for the Red Cross, it is our mandate, conviction and mission to alleviate sufferings in areas where we have disaster.”

Country Manager of the British Red Cross, Karsten Voigt, said the Nigerian Red Cross is “working under very difficult circumstances and called on all and sundry to support the society“.

He also advocated for preventive measures to prevent disaster, saying the British Red Cross is working with stakeholders in that regard.