Washington, DC — Africare is providing supplies to refugees, now homeless and destitute, in the wake of the explosions in Lagos, Nigeria on January 27, 2002. With other assistance agencies that are addressing emergency food and health care needs, Africare is providing other crucial aid to the Ikeja victims now in emergency shelters. Specifically, Africare is equipping the homeless with blankets, eating and cooking utensils, kerosene stoves, lanterns and flashlights.
On January 27, 2002, in the Ikeja district of Lagos, Nigeria, fire struck a military arsenal, exploding shells, bombs and rockets off and on over a 24-hour period -- and sending thousands of area residents into flight for their lives. More than 600 civilians died. "The biggest loss of life," reported the BBC, "occurred when hundreds of people fleeing the area ran into a canal and drowned." More than 1,000 people, mainly children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, remained missing several days after the blasts. Some 10,000 people were left destitute, their homes having been destroyed.
To contribute to the Ikeja Relief Fund, visit Africare's Web site at www.africare.org or contact the Office of Development at (202) 462-3614. Africare is a leader in aid to Africa as well as the oldest and largest African-American organization specializing in African aid.¨
