With thousands of Lagos residents still traumatized following the series of huge explosions on January 27, at a munitions depot in Lagos' biggest military facility, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched an appeal for 750,000 Swiss francs, on behalf of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS). The explosion left at least 600 people dead and hundreds more injured.
The funds will be used to assist 15,000 people who have been registered by the Red Cross as displaced or homeless. It is feared more injuries or casualties may occur as a result of scattered unexploded shells. Over the next two to three weeks, the Nigerian government plans to evacuate the homeless and those living in the affected area into two temporary camps in order to clear any unexploded ordnance.
The Nigerian Red Cross will distribute food and basic domestic items (such as cooking utensils, sleeping mats and soap) to families taking refuge in these camps, at Ikeja and Raba. Red Cross volunteers will also provide tracing services in order to reunite families separated during the panic that ensued when the fire and resulting explosion sent artillery and mortar shells flying over parts of the city of Lagos.
To date, 1,320 children have been reunited with their families leaving only three currently in the care of the Red Cross. But 325 children and 180 adults remain missing and new cases are still being registered. Pleas for assistance to the Red Cross in locating missing people are being broadcast by local FM radio.
"Although we were all caught by surprise by this horrible event, the Nigerian Red Cross Society was prepared to respond", commented Nigerian Red Cross Acting Secretary General Abiodun Orebiyi. Within a few hours of the disaster, more than 200 Red Cross volunteers were deployed, providing first aid to 160 victims and helping evacuate another 150 more gravely wounded people to Ikeja General Hospital. A Red Cross shelter was set up within the Ikeja military cantonment where victims were registered and provided with food and lodging. On-site tracing and family reunification was immediately begun by the NRCS and public donations of food, drinking water and clothes were distributed by Red Cross volunteers.
"Lagos residents are still in a state of shock by what happened on Sunday. Although this recent incident will not soon be forgotten by the residents of Lagos, neither will the Nigerian Red Cross' efforts to help their fellow citizens most affected by this tragedy. The people of Lagos are depending on the Red Cross to follow through with assistance until they can rebuild their lives", reflected Bob Storey, head of the International Federation Delegation in Lagos.For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:
In Geneva :
Chris Black, Information Officer Tel.: + 41 22 730 4377 / +41 79 308 9811
In Abidjan:
Tope Akinwande, Information Officer Tel: + 225 07 98 9701
Marko Kokic, Information Officer Tel: + 225 05 65 9262