Humanitarian Aid in Disaster Management; A Developing Country's Experience, Nigerian Red Cross Society Lagos State Branch Perspective

Abstract

Introduction:

Humanitarian aid is an important part of an emergency response to Disasters and crises situations. When a community or a country is hit by disasters, urgent responses are needed to save lives and provide for the basic needs of the people affected. Humanitarian actors like the Nigerian Red Cross Society, play a vital role in these urgent actions and the aid they provide is fundamental to crisis responses. Responses to humanitarian emergencies involve the mobilization of resources.

The Nigerian Red Cross Society, Lagos State Branch carried out some humanitarian actions for Lagos State populace during the peak of the Covid 19 pandemic in the year 2020 and also in 2021 with the support of well meaning Nigerians, IHS, and the British Red Cross who donated, supported and sponsored the activities.

The offshoot of the COVID-19 operation which subjected us to an extremely helpless corner, was the high magnitude of the most vulnerable people crying out for food in different suburbs and slums of Lagos following the State’s lockdown.

Method:

Humanitarian assistance was delivered based on assessed needs, and according to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, which is the fundamental principles of the Red Cross movement. The methodology of the Humanitarian Aid used includes the following:

1. Rapid Assessment

a. Criteria to be used

b. Questionnaire Guide

c. Checklist

d. Rapid Assessment Form

2. Compilation of Information obtained from the Rapid Assessment carried:

3. Validation of Data

4. Data Analysis

5. Delivery

Results:

The outcome was to limit the impact of Covid 19 and help people return to normal. The anticipated effect of the intervention on the members of the communities was achieved.

Conclusion:

Nigerian Red Cross Society Lagos State Branch’s humanitarian investments have been able to save lives, reduced suffering and restored human dignity.