By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel
Nigerian Red Cross Society, NRCS, Lagos State Branch, has expanded its flood intervention programmes to additional vulnerable communities in Kosofe area, as residents prepare for heavier rains and worsening flooding.
The Chairman of the branch, Mrs Adebola Kolawole, disclosed this in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of a media briefing yesterday in Lagos.
AljazirahNigeria reports that the intervention formed part of activities marking the 163rd World Red Cross Day, WRCD, with the theme: “United in Humanity.”
Kolawole said the newly added communities include Owode, Elede and Ajewole, while interventions are ongoing in Agboyi One, Agboyi Two and Agboyi Three communities already affected by flooding challenges.
According to her, the interventions, supported by the British Red Cross, are aimed at strengthening resilience in flood-prone communities through emergency support and economic empowerment programmes.
“This is a difficult time because of the rainy season,” she said.
Kolawole said ongoing projects in the affected communities include cash transfers, livelihood support initiatives, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, programmes, business management training and financial literacy education for vulnerable residents.
“The cash transfer is one of the supports and it is still ongoing.
“We also have different empowerment programmes and early warning system activities going on in all the affected communities.
“When people are empowered financially and given cash transfers, there is also the need to train them,” she said.
She said the branch is equipping beneficiaries with financial management skills to help them sustain small businesses and improve household stability.
“Some of the beneficiaries have little or no financial literacy.
“They only understand buying and selling, whereas financial management goes beyond that,” she said.
Kolawole, however, expressed concern over the branch’s limited manpower and financial resources, noting that the organisation could not adequately cover all flood-prone communities in Lagos without additional support.
“We have plans for other communities in Lagos because the state is prone to flooding.
“If we receive support from government and individuals, we will be able to reach more communities,” she said.
He added that the branch had carried out several humanitarian and public health activities in 2026, including participation in measles and rubella campaigns, environmental sanitation exercises, first-aid training and disaster management operations across the state.
She also said the branch organised wellness and sporting activities for volunteers, including football, athletics and table tennis competitions, to encourage healthy living and team bonding.
Kolawole highlighted the organisation’s support for orphans and abandoned babies at its facility in Makoko, noting that the branch is struggling to sustain its motherless babies home, primary school and health clinic due to economic challenges.
She appealed to the Lagos State government, corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support the Red Cross through funding, donations and partnerships to enable it expand humanitarian interventions in vulnerable communities.
“We are trying to sustain it, but we cannot do it alone,” she said.
Also speaking, the Branch Secretary, Mr Olakunle Lasisi, said the WRCD celebration was aimed at honouring volunteers, strengthening humanitarian partnerships and mobilising support for vulnerable communities.
Lasisi said the annual event provided an opportunity to appreciate volunteers who devoted their time and risked their safety in humanitarian service.
He commended donors, partners and government agencies, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Primary Health Care Board and the Ministries of Health and Education, for supporting the organisation’s activities over the years.
“This is the time to celebrate them for their doggedness and commitment to serving humanity.
“It is also a moment to appreciate them because without volunteers, there is no Red Cross,” he said.
Lasisi said activities lined up for the celebration include sports festivals, athletics and football competitions, first-aid quiz contests among secondary schools and an awareness walk to promote blood donation across Lagos.
He added that the branch would also organise a blood donation exercise, volunteers fiesta and decoration ceremony for newly inducted instructors.
According to him, the programmes are designed to celebrate volunteers, while promoting public health awareness and youth engagement.
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