By Charly Agwam

Bauchi – The Nigerian Red Cross Society, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and with funding from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has donated $200,000 worth of relief items to affected victims across Bauchi State.

The President, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga made this known at the flag off of the distribution of relief items in Bauchi on Wednesday.

He said that through the initiative, in December, families in six of the hardest-hit Local Government Areas—Gamawa, Giade, Gadiya, Zaki, Kirfi, Jama’are, and Katagum—have received not just physical assistance but the reassurance that they are not forgotten.

“We distribute rice, beans, and other essential food supplies to alleviate hunger. Families also received blankets, mosquito nets, and dignity kits to protect their health and safety. Additionally, cash support was used to empower them to meet immediate and specific needs, whether it’s repairing a home, seeking medical care, or sending a child back to school.

“This project is about more than relief—it is about partnership, solidarity, and resilience. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to ECOWAS for their unwavering support, to our partners in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and to the incredible volunteers and staff of the Nigerian Red Cross who work tirelessly to bring these efforts to life.

“To our communities here in Bauchi State, we see you. We hear your struggles, and we stand beside you. While we cannot undo the damage caused by these floods, we can, together, take meaningful steps toward recovery,” he noted.

The Red Cross Chief however, urged for speaking of solutions like improved drainage systems, early warning systems, reforestation and afforestation and climate change adaptation.

Additionally, beneficiaries received mosquito-treated net, blanket, bucket, mat, food items such as spaghetti and grains.

The initiative, funded by ECOWAS, aligns with its humanitarian response framework for all Member States just as the ECOWAS Humanitarian response for flood relief in Nigeria began in 2022 and so far a state from each of the 6 geopolitical zones have been beneficiaries of this support.

Reacting, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed represented by the Secretary to the State Government, that Red Cross and ECOWAS for the kind gesture, while promising to better the lives of its people through implementation of people-oriented policies.