Operation LADDER

In 2022, Nigeria faced devastating floods due to heavy rains causing loss of life, displacement, and destruction of houses, farms, and infrastructure. It was considered the worst flood in over a decade with 603 deaths, 2,400 injuries, and over 1.4 million displaced people as reported by NEMA in October 2022. The situation was exacerbated by the release of excess water from the Lagdo dam in Northern Cameroon into Nigeria through River Benue, causing further harm to vulnerable communities.

The floods resulted in the destruction or damage of over 300,000 houses and an estimated 569,251 hectares of damaged farmland, leading to the loss of food sources and income for affected households.

In response to the plight of victims of the flood and in line with our mission and vision of no poverty, we set out to bring relief and support to flood-disaster victims, especially in the southern states of Nigeria. An initiative named Operation LADDER (Laugh At Deluge, Drink, Eat, and Rejuvenate) was launched by WF and its partners to bring relief and support to flood survivors and their households.

Then, in November 2022, Whitefield Foundation was awarded a humanitarian aid grant to provide relief materials to flood disaster victims under the project Operation LADDER by The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF).

The goal of the TCCF-sponsored initiative was to provide aid to flood-affected communities in Anambra and Delta States. 

The relief project was implemented over a 2-month period, engaging with relevant government agencies such as State Emergency Management Agency in Delta and Anambra State, local authorities like Local Government Chairpersons, and community leaders, with a focus on working with women leaders. The relief materials were distributed directly to the communities, ensuring that the victims and their households received them.

In Anambra State, the flood-ravaged communities in over one-third of the LGAs in the state. 5700 households (34,200 people indirectly) in 57 communities received relief materials, which included food, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) supplies, and empowerment materials.

In Delta State, the intervention was laser focused in four LGAs; Isoko South, Ughelli North, Ndokwa East, and Oshimili South. A total of 3,059 households (18,354 people indirectly) across 21 communities and villages benefited directly from the relief intervention implementation in Delta State.

The partners involved in the operation included:

• The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF) provided the funding for food and WASH supplies.
• Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) provided cartons of bottled water and juice.
• Chi Pharmaceuticals Limited (Chi Pharma) supplied over-the-counter drugs, such as antimalarial, decongestants for adults and children, and multivitamins.
• Capstone Resource Center (CRC) contributed logistics and funding for cassava and rice seedlings.
• Sterling One Foundation (SOF) provided funds for the distribution of cassava stems.
• Individual donors offered logistics support and funding for seedlings.
• Anambra State Emergency Management Agency facilitated the warehousing of relief materials.