In late 2022, Nigeria suffered its worst flooding in a decade. More than 600 people were killed and over 1.5 million people displaced. In order to provide some relief, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated food and supplies to victims who are staying in camps and temporary facilities.
“We came to the knowledge of the recent flood disaster in Benue State, and the Church has come to offer its hands of assistance to support our brothers and sisters who have been affected in the various communities,” said Charles A. Adebayo, regional manager for Welfare and Self-Reliance Services.
The supplies included hundreds of bags of rice, beans, semovita, water, oil, noodles, spices, salt, sugar and crayfish. Cartons of detergents, toilet soap and other toiletries were also donated, totaling $150,000 worth of relief materials, said the Church’s Africa Newsroom.
The state’s executive governor, Samuel Ortom, thanked the Church for the aid and urged other faith-based organizations to follow suit.
“I think for this year, as far as I know, this is the first time an organization outside the government is bringing relief and help to us here in Benue State. In my own judgment, you have truly demonstrated the love of Jesus Christ by caring for our physical and spiritual needs,” Ortom said.
The State Emergency Management Agency distributed the items to the over 134,000 people displaced by the flooding.
Church members joined the Benue State leaders to deliver some of the relief materials at a camp for displaced persons. Ortom thanked them for taking the time and the risk to personally give the supplies to those in need.
Ambassador Frank Makashinan, deputy chairman of Markurdi, the capital of Benue State, expressed his gratitude as well.
“When things like this happen and you feel there is no way out and you now see agents of God coming, then you know that God is still alive, and God has not forgotten nor forsaken you,” he said. “We are grateful and extremely excited about this gesture.”
