The Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) said it has commenced ‘Back to School’ campaign for the survivors of the collapsed building in Lagos Island.
Secretary of the Lagos office of NRCS Mr Olakunle Lasisi who disclosed this in an interview in Lagos over the weekend said the project would help the survivors, particularly the students, overcome the trauma.
According to him, the branch decide to embark on the project after concluding its need assessment for the survivors.
“We’ve been able to reach out to the people affected and we’re trying to help them recover. One of the things they need to do is to go back to school.
“If they keep waiting at home, they will still be dealing with the trauma but if they’re sent back to school immediately, it will ease some of their burdens,” he explained.
The secretary also stated that the society was carrying out psychosocial support for the victims; through visits, counselling and provision of relief materials.
He pledged the continued support of NRCS to the victims,as much as it could.
“For those who were residents of the building, we’re looking at relief materials, if possible, because it’s very important, they need to get accommodation.
Lasisi disclosed that one of the survivors of the collapsed building, who lived at the penthouse of the building, had been transferred to another hospital for increased medical support.
The secretary commended the staff of the Lagos Island General Hospital for the care given to the survivors.
He also commended all those who had reached out to Red Cross to offer one service or the other.
Lasisi, however, urged individuals and corporate organisations to support the society’s project in helping the children go back to school.
“We are looking to provide 40 children with a minimum of N100, 000 per child. N50, 000 is what we’re looking forward to for school fees, provide uniforms, books while the remaining N50,000 will be given as stipends for the child.
No fewer than 20 lives,mostly pupils, were lost to the collapsed building.
