The Nigerian Red Cross society (NRCS) was established by an Act of Parliament in 1960 as an auxiliary to the Government in Humanitarian Services. The Act empowers the Society to support the Government in response to disasters, emergencies in the implementation of the Geneva convention and its additional protocols which the Government of the Federation has acceded to. In 1961, following the official recognition by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, Nigerian Red Cross Society became 86th member Nation of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
“Like hundreds of thousands of other people in South-Eastern Türkey I was fast asleep when the world started to shake. The floor and the walls were shaking, bending, and as we ran down the three floors to the street our only thought was to get far, far away from buildings. “These are the exact words of a survivor of what is now called the worst Earthquake in Turkey’s history.
In the early hours of the 6th of February, 2023, at 4.17am to be exact, a massive earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale ripped through Southern Turkey. Its effects were disastrous. According to a Turkish Non-Profit, ‘Support To Life’ it affected the provinces of Adıyaman, Kilis, Osmaniye, Gaziantep, Malatya, as well as Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Adana and Hatay, where around 13.5 million people reside including around 2 million Syrian refugees.The level of devastation is massive, covering hundreds of kilometers.
According to a Situation Report from the Turkish Red Crescent, 35, 418 people lost their lives and 105, 505 people were injured. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue workers and the local population still search for survivors under the rubble of crushed buildings. Search and rescue operations are still on, with plans in place for recovery operations to follow. Humanitarian actors, led by the Governments and the two countries’ Red Crescent Societies, are in the frontline supporting the affected communities, regardless of the challenges they encounter and the limited means.
As I read these words, about 238,459 aid workers are helping in relief efforts while 5,500 volunteers of the Turkish Red Crescent boots are on the ground in Turkey and Syria, racing against the clock to help the worsening humanitarian situation and speed is of the essence. Red Cross and Red Crescent responders are providing blood, food, emergency temporary shelter, medical care, emergency aid supplies and mental and emotional support to people in need. Many people have been evacuated and are also in need of emergency supplies including hygiene items and blankets.
As things stand now, the Turkish and Syrian Red Crescent Authorities have launched Emergency Appeals totaling 200 million Swiss Francs. So far, while the Turkish Appeal has received donations to the tune of 1,562,507 Swiss Francs. But at this time, nothing is too small and nothing is definitely too big. It is for this very reason that the Nigerian Red Cross Society and its Movement Partners, the International Federation of the Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross is launching an Emergency Appeal. The resources collected will be sent to aid the Turkish/Syiran Earthquake effort.
Kindly donate using the following Account Numbers:
Naira Account: Access Bank PLC: 0004393324
Account Name: Nigerian Red Cross Society
Dollar Account: Zenith Bank: 1012358875
Account Name: Nigerian Red Cross Society
The Global Red Cross Movement thanks you immensely as you do your bit to alleviate the plight of people who in 60 seconds lost their world as they knew it and became refugees, homeless, orphans, widows and widowers.
Thank you.
Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga Adetayo
National President
Nigerian Red Cross Society
