Eco-bank partners with IFRC to strengthen local communities in Africa

Ecobank and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have signed an agreement to work together to empower local communities to efficiently cope with disasters.
“Many innocent lives continue to be lost in Africa simply as a result of insufficient investment in disaster preparedness. Many of the natural hazards that take place do not need to become major disasters when a population is prepared and able to respond adequately.
We need to address the underlying causes of this vulnerability, including lack of funding to equip communities with required systems and skills,” said Dr.Fatoumata Nafo-Traoré, IFRC’s Regional Director for Africa.
“It is on this account that Ecobank is partnering with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Africa to secure resources for their local first aid volunteers.” Nafo-Traoré said in a press statement to newsrooms.
She announced Ecobank’s commitment to leverage its innovative technology to fundraise across Africa in an effort to mobilise capital to help narrow the funding gap.
“Through our Ecobank Mobile App, we will be able to support the Red Cross and Red Crescent’s domestic fundraising efforts,” said Regional Executive, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa (CESA) and Ecobank Kenya’s Managing DirectorMr. Sam Adjei.
A first project is being rolled out in Ghana where Ecobank is launching a digital public fundraising campaign, he added.
He added that a unique QR code (a type of bar code used to access information through your mobile phone) had been created and displayed in branches, making donating easy and immediate.
“Transforming Africa is the principle on which Ecobank has built its business. Today, we are present in 33 countries across the continent. That scale is what creates impact and determines how well we take our continent to the next level in a sustainable way,” added Adjei.
Training, he said, will be another key pillar of the partnership, as IFRC will work with the Ecobank Academy, a pan-African corporate university based in Lomé, Togo.
He disclosed that IFRC’s staff members will participate in a number of customised programmes to enhance their management skills.
As part of the agreement, Adjei added, Ecobank employees will also be given the opportunity to attend First Aid training sessions, enabling them to save lives during every day emergencies and disasters.
“Ecobank Tanzania will be the first Ecobank affiliate to roll out a first aid training course for its staff,” he added.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a