Nigeria Benefits From $1.87m COVID-19 Impact Support
Nigeria is one of 12 countries across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) receiving a share of a 3M grant totalling $1,875,000, being directed to projects supporting nutrition, mental and physical health, education and COVID-19 awareness, according to the most pressing local needs and country status of the pandemic.
Specifically, United Way Greater Nigeria, the local UW organisation, is working with 3M Nigeria to implement a $160,009 COVID-19 relief programme to support communities in the five administrative zones in Lagos State that have been identified at risk for a total of 10,000 beneficiaries.
This includes support in the form of food distribution and packaging in collaboration with local partners including the government, NGO’s and religious organisations.
Science-based technology company 3M, joined with not-for-profit organisation United Way (UW) Worldwide to support relief projects across EMEA that are helping the most vulnerable people in society impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
“It’s important that 3M holds true to its core values during this pandemic by supporting our communities and improving lives,” said Robert Nichols, Managing Director of 3M Middle East Africa.
“The projects with United Way form part of a $20 million commitment made by 3M at a corporate level to support COVID-19 relief projects globally, and we’re grateful that some of this funding is helping vulnerable communities in Nigeria to receive support during these exceptional times,” Nichols added.
United Way Worldwide has been helping communities in need for more than 130 years, but the scale of the COVID-19 crisis and its far-reaching impact on people’s health, social mobility, income and job security – factors that are essential to wellbeing – has posed new challenges.
“We’re pleased to see how 3M is stepping up in helping the people in the Nigerian communities who support the most vulnerable who have been impacted by the pandemic,” Janet Butler, Vice President, United Way African Region. “Together, we can make a real difference to people’s quality of life as we navigate through the coronavirus pandemic.
“Although the lockdown has been eased in major parts of the country, we at United Way Greater Nigeria understand that there is an ongoing need for basic essentials in vulnerable households and the team is working tirelessly to reach these households in these trying times. The financial support of organizations such as 3M helps us to achieve our goals to alleviate the burden brought about by the novel Coronavirus,” said Dr Lanre Towry-Coker, Chairman Board Of Trustees, United Way Greater Nigeria.
