The Nigerian Red Cross Society with support from the International Federation of Red Cross Societies (IFRC), is targeting to assist 300,000 people affected by the current flooding in Nigeria.

Dr Michael Charles, Head of West Africa Cluster Office, IFRC, Abuja, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Charles said that on Sept. 23, the IFRC launched an emergency appeal globally to the tune of 5.4 million Swiss francs to assist those affected by the flood in Nigeria.

The Emergency Appeal is being launched to facilitate interventions that would provide immediate life-saving support to those affected by floods.

Charles said that the proposed areas for interventions are; emergency shelter, distribution on non food items including sleeping mats, blankets, cooking sets, hygiene and sanitation items.

Other proposed interventions are: livelihood and basic needs (including cash-based intervention), health, water, sanitation and hygiene promotion and protection support.

He said that IFRC was counting on the support of the international community and donors to enable them meet the dire needs of those affected.

He explained that as per initial estimates, about 1.4 million people were affected by the current flooding, 19,000 people are currently displaced and about 200 reported dead.

Charles said that following the declaration of a national emergency in the four most affected states of Kogi, Niger, Anambra and Delta, the IFRC and Nigerian Red Cross has been ramping up its efforts.

According to Charles, the IFRC is supporting the Nigerian Red Cross in conducting a need assessment in the affected states to provide the needed assistant to the most vulnerable people.

•Excerpted from a Daily Trust report