The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has delivered essential relief materials to victims of a devastating rain and windstorm in Erinmo Ìjèsà, Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State.
The distribution exercise, conducted by officials from NEMA’s South-West Zonal Office based in Ibadan, took place over the weekend at Penny Deriik Hotel, Erinmo Ìjèsà. The intervention followed an assessment conducted by the agency, which confirmed widespread damage to homes and infrastructure after the severe weather event.
Speaking during the relief exercise, a representative of the agency stated that the materials were part of efforts by the Federal Government to provide immediate support and reduce the hardship faced by residents affected by the storm. The items distributed included foodstuff, mattresses, blankets, roofing sheets, nails, cement, and other building materials meant to assist families in rebuilding their homes.
“We are here on behalf of the Director-General of NEMA, to respond to the plight of the people of Erinmo Ìjèsà following the rainstorm that caused serious damage in the community. This is part of our mandate to provide timely disaster relief and recovery support,” the official noted.
The traditional ruler of the town, Oba Dr. Michael Odunayo Ajayi (Arowotawaya II), and other community leaders were present to witness the distribution and thanked NEMA for the swift response. The monarch described the intervention as a welcome relief for affected families who had been grappling with the aftermath of the storm.
Residents who benefited from the exercise expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and NEMA, saying the items would ease their burden as they work to restore normalcy to their lives.
The rainstorm, which struck earlier in the year, left scores of homes roofless and rendered several families temporarily homeless. No fatalities were reported, but the destruction raised concerns about the community’s preparedness for future weather-related emergencies.
NEMA urged residents to take necessary precautions as the rainy season intensifies, assuring that the agency would continue to collaborate with state and local emergency management agencies to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
