Delight Chinedum

Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) had called for partnerships to address emerging humanitarian challenges, including climate-related disasters, armed conflicts, and mass displacement in Anambra.

Anambra Branch Chairman, NRCS, Prof. Charity Emelie made the call on Saturday in Awka, at the 2025 World Red Cross Day, with the theme, ‘On the Side of Humanity’.

World Red Cross Day is celebrated every May 8, to mark the birthday of Henry Dunant, the founder and to honour staff and volunteers who promote humanitarian principles and values.

Emelie said: “Some of the major humanitarian challenges in Anambra are insecurity, natural disasters such as flooding in eight Local government, displacement of individuals and erosion.

“Red Cross society is drawing the attention of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and relevant stakeholders to these rural disaster prone areas of the state where necessities of life are not availed to the people.

“This call for action is necessitated by the fact that humanitarian challenges are getting higher at astronomical rate while funding is dwindling.

“We plead your support to help us continually be on the side of Humanity.”

Emelie commended volunteers for their support, dedication and selflessness in the service to humanity in the state.

Also speaking, Mr Kingsley Okoye, Branch Secretary, said the society distributed hygiene and sanitary items to 400 women and girls affected by the 2024 flood disaster in the state.

Okoye said relief items and cash were also distributed to 1,100 households in response to the flood disaster in the state.

“Some of these interventions were supported by donor agencies such as the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO).

“The scale and complexity of current crises demand united action. No single actor can manage these challenges alone, hence the call for partnership and support.

“We will continue to be the number one first aid responder in the state. We urge the public to call our lines in case of emergency,”he said.

Okoye appreciated the state government and the Nonye Soludo Healthy Living Initiative for their support to the society.