For residents of Okitipupa, Irele and Odigbo Local Government Areas, the aftermath of flooding and fire disasters has left many families grappling with lost homes, damaged property and disrupted sources of livelihood.

In response, the Ondo State Government has commenced the distribution of relief materials to affected communities, as part of efforts to ease their hardship and support their recovery.

The intervention is being carried out under the Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (ODSEMA), with support from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Deputy Governor and Chairman of ODSEMA, Olayide Adelami, said the aim is to cushion the effects of the disasters on affected communities.

Represented by the Executive Secretary of ODSEMA, Aina Richard, the Deputy Governor said the relief materials were intended to provide immediate support to victims as they work to rebuild their lives.

Beyond providing immediate assistance, the relief exercise also underscores the need for preventive measures to reduce the vulnerability of families and communities to future disasters.

The Deputy Governor attributed the increasing incidence of flooding to heavy rainfall and rising water levels associated with climate change.

He urged residents to keep drainage channels clear, dispose of refuse properly and pay close attention to weather forecasts to reduce the risk of flooding.

The distribution exercise has so far covered parts of the Central Senatorial District, including Akure North, before moving to Irele, Okitipupa and Odigbo Local Government Areas in the Southern Senatorial District.

Director of Operations of NEMA in the Ondo/Ekiti zone, Kaseem Olanrewaju, stressed that disaster prevention requires collective responsibility, urging communities to support emergency response efforts and adhere to safety guidelines.

For local government authorities in Odigbo, Okitipupa and Irele, the intervention offers a measure of hope to families still grappling with the loss of homes, property and sources of livelihood.

As the distribution team prepares to move to the Northern Senatorial District, the relief offers a measure of support to residents facing the difficult task of recovering from disaster-related losses.