Anambra State chapter of Nigerian Red Cross Society said it has commenced sensitization of indigenes of the state residing in riverine areas in a bid to forestall flood disasters.

The state chairman of the society, Professor Charity Ifeyinwa Emelie stated this during a press conference to mark this year’s World Red Cross Day.

Emelie while addressing journalists said: “We have commenced sensitization of people living in riverine areas on impending flood this year.

“We sent our officials to riverine places, and you know that our people don’t like living their homes, but we have been persuading them to move to upland places to avoid any disaster during this year’s flood.

“Our people in those areas are predominantly farmers and it is difficult to convince them to leave. We have however been sensitizing them, we also tell them that they can consider travelling to be with relatives when the flood set in.”

Emelie added that the organisation has achieved a lot in flood prone areas like Ogbaru, Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum, Awka North and other parts of the state.

“We usually assess the situations, danger and level of vulnerability within the flood prone communities.

“Apart from sharing food items, Red Cross also distributed non food items like hygiene kits, farmer’s kits, and shelter kits to thousands of affected people the areas mentioned.

“Distribution of raw cash was also involved in an instance when Red Cross distributed N61,000.00 to 1,500 Households affected by flood.

“Apart from these, such communities benefitted from free first aide training, first aid kits to schools, stakeholders and partners as well as non consumable clinical materials to 11 selected health centres.”