By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

OSOGBO — An international relief organisation, Humanity First, has distributed food packages to 100 households affected by recent flooding in parts of Osogbo, Osun State, to ease their hardship.

Several communities in the state capital, including Ijetu, Ilesa Garage, Baruwa, Gbonmi, Oke-Baale and Akede Oke-Arungbo, were reportedly affected by the flooding, which submerged houses and forced residents to flee to safety.

The relief packages contained 10kg bags of rice and garri, food condiments and insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

Speaking during the distribution in Anu Community, behind Ilesa Garage, and Aseyori Community, Ijetu, the Disaster Relief Team Lead of Humanity First Nigeria, Abdulqodri Abdulrofih, sympathised with the victims and said the intervention was aimed at ensuring they did not feel abandoned during their time of need.

“We bring our tokens to you with love and a kind heart to let you know that you are not alone during your time of need. We know that what we brought cannot replace what you have lost, but we cannot afford to leave you alone at this time.

“Hence, we decided not just to sympathise with you but also to extend these food packages to assist you,” he said.

Abdulrofih explained that each household would receive a package containing a 10kg bag of rice, a 10kg bag of garri, food condiments and an insecticide-treated mosquito net.

He said the organisation was complementing government efforts to support flood victims, noting that public authorities alone might not be able to meet the needs of every affected household.

According to him, Humanity First was also providing relief to flood victims in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while maintaining a presence in crisis-affected communities in the North-East and North-Central regions.

Responding on behalf of Anu Community, the Vice-Chairman, Daniel Peter, described the intervention as a significant relief that would ease the burden on beneficiary households.

He appealed to the Osun State Government to extend comprehensive relief assistance to the community.

Peter also called for the dredging of the Osun River and the construction of major drainage channels in the community to reduce the risk of future flooding.

In Aseyori Community, Alhaja Lawal Musliat commended Humanity First Nigeria for supporting residents, saying the food packages would ease the burden of providing meals for affected households.