The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday distributed relief items to 493 persons affected by flood and windstorm disasters in Anambra.

The beneficiaries, who were largely from the riverine communities of the state, got sewing machines, grinding machines, hairdryers, and water pumping machines according to their needs.

In a message to the event, Mr. Mustapha Ahmed, the Director-General of NEMA, said the items were for people who lost their livelihood and were left stranded as a result of the disaster.

Ahmed, who was represented by Mr. James Eze, the Southeast Coordinator of NEMA, said the affected local government areas were Anyamelum, Anambra East, and Anambra West.

He said the first batch of the item distribution had been done and was being concluded in batches.

The DG said the Federal Government was deeply concerned by the extent of damage caused by the disaster and had approved food, non-food items, and livelihood materials for the affected persons.

According to him, the damages caused cannot be replaced, but the items offered to the victims by the Federal Government will ease their pain.

“The various livelihood items will empower those who lost their means of livelihood as a result of the disaster to stabilize and move on with their lives.

“The communities are encouraged to clean their drainages to allow free flow of water during flooding,” he said.

The materials distributed include 250 units of water pumps, 190 units of sewing machines, 19 units of hairdryers, and 35 units of grinding machines.

Also speaking, Chief Paul Odenigbo, Executive Secretary of Anambra State Emergency Management Agency thanked the Federal Government for the kind gesture.

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Odenigbo urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the materials and use them to start a new phase in life.

He said the beneficiaries which included men, women, and youths, were victims of 2018 flood disaster.