The South-East Development Commission (SEDC) has donated relief materials, including 3,500 bags of rice and 450 mattresses, to communities affected by 2026 flooding in Abia.

Cliff Ogbede, SEDC Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development, handed over the items to the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Umuahia on Saturday.

Mr Ogbede said the donation also included diapers for children and sanitary pads for mothers affected by the flooding.

He explained that SEMA had requested emergency intervention, prompting the commission to respond swiftly to the state’s humanitarian needs.

Mr Ogbede conveyed the goodwill of SEDC managing director, Mark Okoye, to the state.

He described Governor Alex Otti as a major pillar of development and growth in the South-East.

He assured that the commission would sustain its partnership with Abia and extend similar interventions across the region.

Receiving the materials, SEMA executive secretary, Sunday Jackson, thanked SEDC for its special intervention in flood-affected communities.

Mr Jackson said the donation arrived at a critical time and would significantly improve the welfare of displaced residents.

He assured that the materials would be distributed to the rightful beneficiaries.

Mr Jackson also commended Mr Otti for providing an enabling environment for effective emergency response in the state.

He said the intervention would help mitigate the humanitarian impact of the 2026 flooding in Abia. 

(NAN)