8th May, 2015
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has declared that Nigeria cannot afford a humanitarian crisis that could threaten its corporate existence.
Prof Peter Katchy, Vice Chairman of the ICRC, said this at an event marking the 67th World Red Cross Day celebration of the body in Awka on Friday.
The vice chairman therefore appealed to the political class to avoid inciting hate and crisis that precipitate chaos.
Katchy commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his gallantry in conceding defeat at the polls and congratulating the winner, President-elect, retired Maj.- Gen. Muhammdu Buhari.
He also congratulated Buhari for his victory, tasking him to observe all the tenets of democracy and ensure that human rights were respected during his reign.
The vice chairman said that ICRC responded to over 65 major emergency cases in Anambra within the last one year.
Katchy, who described the 2014 as tasking, said the ICRC was particularly glad that it did not record casualties among members in the state.
He said some of their response and rescue operations included road crashes, building collapse, cholera outbreaks and fire incidents.
Katchy expressed gratitude for the immense support the Red Cross had enjoyed in the state, but appealed for support for their operations in form of earth-moving machines and utility vehicles.
In his opening remarks, Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra commended the Red Cross Society for cooperating with his administration to save lives in the state.
Obiano, who was represented by Dr Joe Akabuike, the state Commissioner for Health, said his government was passionate about lives and had done a number of things to enhance healthcare delivery.
He said that the state government would provide things that would make ICRC activities easier and more effective in the state.