By Hussaini Garba Mohammed
The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Sokoto branch, has conducted a flood simulation exercise at the Kofar Kware River community in Sokoto North Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued by Anas Abubakar Wamakko, the Branch Communication Officer of the Nigerian Red Cross Society Sokoto Branch office.
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The Red Cross Society, more formally known as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, is a global network of humanitarian organisations dedicated to protecting human life, health, and dignity, preventing and alleviating suffering worldwide.
The movement, founded in 1863, consists of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
They provide disaster relief, assistance during conflicts, health services, and promote humanitarian law and principles.
According to the statement, the exercise marks a significant milestone, narrating that the Nigerian Red Cross Society in collaboration with other Stakeholders from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Representative of the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, News-Men, Security agencies, other Government agencies, Community leaders, People With Disabilities, Students, Local Divers, Youths, Women, local drummers among others have witnessed the event.
The simulation was organised in conjunction with both the Nigerian Red Cross Society, under the Response, Recovery and Resilience (RRR) Early Warning Early Action (EWEA) Italian-Funded Project.
The National Headquarters of the Nigerian Red Cross Society staff were also present at the event, they include; Mr. Gabriel Nashon, Coordinator, Disaster Management Department, Blessing Chizaram John, Project Focal Point, Livelihood, and Community Liaison Officer, Disaster Management Department and Mr Ahmed Bolaji, IM Officer.
Others were the Sokoto Branch team management Staff, the Executive members and volunteers.
In his remarks, the Sokoto Branch Secretary, Mr Nafiu Yusuf, informed the public that the essence of organising the event was to inform, educate and build the resilience and preparedness before, during and after the disaster for the communities vulnerable to the flood disaster in the state.
Pre-simulation exercises included the strategic Stakeholders coordination meeting, House to House Non-food Items beneficiaries registration, Installation of the River gauge and the Simulation site set-up.
The Major Highlights of the event included the Community Alert Mechanisms (using sirens, megaphones, whistles, flags and IEC materials), Evacuation Drills and Rescue Operations (Children, Elderly, Disabled and other victims were rescued by the volunteers), First Aid and Relief Response( where the victims received first aid, psychosocial support and shelter).
The Materials used for the exercise include: Jackets, ropes, boats, stretchers, floating tubes, big bowls and ambulances.
At the end of the event, the Village Head, on behalf of the community members, thanked the Nigerian Red Cross Society for choosing the Kofar Kware community for the exercise and pledged to safeguard the Water gauge installed.
