The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says it has deployed over 2,000 volunteers to drive its Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives.
The Director-General of FEMA, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, made the disclosure at the 2021 International Volunteer Day (IVD) Celebration, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Director-General said that the programmes would be duplicated in all the six Area Councils of the territory.
Idriss said that the theme of the 2021 IVD was: Volunteer Now for Our Common Future, was a clarion call to everyone to contribute his or her quarter toward improving the lives of fellow humans.
He said volunteerism worldwide was being accepted as part of development, adding that the Nigerian government was also making efforts to entrenched the culture of volunteerism nationwide.
Idriss said the agency would continue to encouraged professionals and non-professionals alike to contribute their knowledge, skills and resources to build their communities and the nation at large.
“In the FCT, we have since recognised the role that volunteers can play in ensuring safer and resilient communities.
“And, I am proud to say that we have over 2000 volunteers driving our Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives and programmes in all the Six area councils.
” At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we needed to carry out Risk Awareness and Public Sensitisation during the Lockdown, volunteers served as town criers in getting the messages across the various communities.
” In flood prevention, mitigation and response, volunteers constitute majority of our divers who are always the first responders in their communities when the floods waters threaten lives and property.
“We have also recognised that saving lives involves making sacrifices in various ways of which voluntary blood donation is important.
“This is especially in managing accident victims who are often times in urgent need of blood transfusion to survive.
” This reality underlines the choice of Wuse District Hospital to mark this year’s event,” Idriss said.
The director-general appealed to the public to join the agency’s pool of volunteers to get acquainted with the values of volunteerism and the benefits of offering selfless service to humanity.
He also called on all kind-spirited individuals to imbibe the culture of voluntary blood donation.
Idriss also urged individuals to bring the resources they could give – including food, clothing and household items to help improve the lives of those in need.
”I want to restate here that everybody has something to give no matter how little, and the time to give is now.”
Idriss thanked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for consistently providing the platform in his Office through the Nigerian National Volunteer Service (NNVS) to promote the role of volunteers in nation building.
He also commended the FCT Minister and Permanent Secretary for their supportive roles in seeing that events that are of global recognition and importance such as the International Volunteer Day are celebrated in the nation’s Capital.
Earlier, the Medical Director of Wuse District Hospital, Dr Sahad Idris, who said that the whole concept of health sector and institutions was about volunteerism, appreciated FEMA for choosing to celebrate the day at the hospital.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the highpoint of the event was the donation of blood by the D-G of FEMA and other members of staff of the agency. (NAN)