Red Cross seeks social security policy, welfare package for disaster victims

The Nigerian Red Cross Society has urged governments to institute social security policy in addition to various welfare packages to ease the suffering of victims of disasters and widespread poverty.

The Vice-Chairman of the Awka South chapter of the society, Prof. Peter Katchy, made the call during the activities marking the World Self-Inflicted Injury Day, in Awka, on Monday.

Katchy expressed the organisation’s concern over increasing crises emanating from man-made disasters and emergencies rather than natural disasters in Nigeria.

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“The major function of every government all over the world is the (provision of) social security and welfare of the people.

Any government that does not think about the social welfare and social security of the people is not a government.

“It is the World Self Inflicted Injury Day: Red Cross is trying to steer people from self-inflicted injury.

”There are different variations of self -inflicted injury: one is melancholy, two frustration, three jealousy, four greediness and five excessive possession.

”That is why we channel our training through orientation of people to being citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

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He said that most of the crisises and social tension, which resulted to emergencies, were self inflicted and called on equitable distribution of resources and proper orientation on values.

Also speaking, an associate member of the Red Cross in the state, Chief Emma Nweke, said that the organisation had been exceptional in responding to the situations of the endangered people in the society and pledged to continue to support its efforts.

Nweke said Africa and Nigeria in particular were lucky to be spared of natural disasters but bemoaned the degree of emergencies arising from human interaction.

“For me, it is a call to greater service to humanity, I have always admired the Red Cross, I support them but now I have to join more committedly to save the endangered people in our society.

“Government can make the job of Red Cross easier, they should not only support them, they should create environment that will not give rise to emergencies like the provision of roads and other social infrastructure.”

Contributing, another associate member of the society, Dr Ramas Asuzu, lauded the Red Cross’ effectiveness in Nigeria and humanitarian activities.

Asuzu, who is a community leader, pledged the donation of utility vehicle for the Awka chapter, saying he was elated to be so recognised while promising more assistance. (