By SUNNY OKIM
The internationally acclaimed largest denomination for humanitarian services, The Salvation Army on Friday, April 17, 2020 formally launched its COVID-19 Awareness and Prevention Programme.
The event took place at the organisation’s Territorial (national) Headquarters in Lagos.
The leader of The Salvation Army in Nigeria known as the Territorial Commander, Colonel Victor Leslie used the event to unveil plans by the international movement to support government’s effort inproviding palliatives meant to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown, beginning with Lagos communities.
Speaking to attendees and newsmen who observed the social distancing rule to the fullest during the occasion, Leslie said the tones of palliative items on display would as much as possible be made to get to the vulnerable people in Lagos communities and other parts of the country in line with his organisation’s belief in “Heart to God. Hand to man”.
“The Salvation Army has always been there for the needy around the world. Before COVID-19, we have been going round the country, especially the northeast, to provide relief materials to the people at Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. We are always there in times of disasters and we have been doing this since The Salvation Army came to Nigeria one hundred years ago (1920), without any form of discrimination. Now it is COVID-19, we are fully on ground to compliment the efforts of governments at the various levels to ease the sufferings of the masses,” said Leslie.
Leslie however admonished the people to stay safe by adhering to the rules issued by relevant authorities such as social distancing, hand washing with sanitizers and maintaining utmost personal hygiene.
Branded items for distribution by The Salvation Army include not less than 2000 sanitisers and several tones of foodstuff such as rice, wheat flour, noodles and others.