The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), with support from the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and funding from the Italian government, has trained schools in Edo State on how to respond to flood emergencies as part of efforts to strengthen community resilience.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The training, held at Kleros Montessori School in Oredo Local Government Area, marked the official launch of the School Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Club under the Flood Resilience Project. The program aims to equip children and schools with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively during disasters, particularly floods that have continued to affect communities across Edo State.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Wilson Ekhomogiazin, Branch Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society in Edo State, said the initiative was designed to “catch them young” by teaching pupils how to respond to emergencies. He noted that building resilient children helps create resilient communities capable of managing disasters.
“When you build a resilient community, you build a resilient society,” Ekhomogiazin said. “These children will grow to understand what to do when there are disasters and can also help others in their communities.”
According to him, two schools were selected for the pilot phase — Kleros Montessori School in Oredo and Aluaye Primary School in Udaba-Ekperi, Etsako Central Local Government Area. Each school trained 35 participants, including two teachers, three community volunteers, and 30 pupils. The participants learned about disaster preparedness, flood risk management, and how to establish and sustain DRR clubs within their schools.
Ekhomogiazin explained that the objectives of the program include engaging school authorities for long-term support, sensitizing students about flood risks, and organizing leadership elections within the clubs. The DRR clubs will have functional teams handling early warning systems (EWS), first aid, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and media awareness.
He added that after the training, the pupils would serve as ambassadors of disaster preparedness in their schools and communities.
Blessing John, Livelihood and Community Liaison Officer at the Nigerian Red Cross Society’s Disaster Management Department, said the project focuses on reducing children’s vulnerability to flood disasters. “We want to catch them young and empower them to take action that protects lives and property during emergencies,” she said.
For many participants, the training was a valuable learning experience. Dominion Makinde, a Primary 5 pupil of Kleros Montessori School, said he was grateful for the lessons received. “Though I am young, I believe I can use what I have been taught to help save lives during floods,” he said.
The school’s headmistress, Mrs. Doris Lemazong, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Red Cross Society and its partners for choosing her school for the training. “This program has opened our eyes to the importance of preparedness. Our pupils now understand that they can play a role in keeping their communities safe,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr. Cephas Yakubu, acting chairman of Etsako Central Local Government Area, commended the Red Cross for its intervention in communities affected by floods. He said the local government had been encouraging residents to relocate to higher grounds to prevent loss of lives and property.
“The Red Cross visit and training show that partnership is key in addressing the flood challenges we face,” Yakubu added.
The School Disaster Risk Reduction Clubs are expected to continue regular training and awareness programs in their communities, ensuring that preparedness becomes part of everyday life. The Red Cross says it plans to expand the project to more schools across Edo State as part of its broader goal to build resilient communities in flood-prone areas.
