In 2022, Nigeria was hit by one of the worst floods in recent history leaving many people powerless, homeless, and hopeless. . While the government is providing assistance in some areas of the country, other areas remain untouched and in need of assistance.
At this time, Faces of Web3, a technology company that is building a community of African digital creators is joining the fight to help.
When they heard about the disaster, the founders of Faces of Web3, Esther Eze and Olaseni Oremodu, were shocked by the magnitude of the crisis. At first he thought the reports were exaggerated until he heard the number of people affected.
Determined to make a difference, they quickly called the team together, wrote a powerful call to the world for help and, in a day, set up a website (Naijafloodaid.xyz) and a collection of NFT to raise funds for affected Nigerians. However, instead of choosing the usual sources of fundraising, they decided to show that creators can use the global access to the market that web3 provides to make positive changes in their environment.
To prove his point, he partnered with African web3 creators like Adaeze Okaro, Cheythelight, Oyisands, Yinkore, Taesirat, King Bolarinwa and others to donate NFTs and then auction them off on the blockchain. To ensure that the funds are used correctly and foster accountability, they partnered with local community leaders in Rivers State and Bayelsa, including Enibo foundation, ChrisWonderart, Mrs. Zanga Seiyefa, and Mr. Kelly Rufus, who have been working on the ground to provide relief.
The founders of Faces of Web3 saw the disaster as an opportunity to showcase the value of effective altruism supported by blockchain. In just three days, he brought together over 20 African artistes in Nigeria and the diaspora and raised over 3 million naira. Speaking about the speed of the movement, Esther Eze said, “I believe people want to do good, they just don’t know how!”.
The funds were shared between community leaders in Rivers and Bayelsa, which were used to buy mosquito nets for pregnant women, men, and children in some IDP camps and to provide post-flood medical and reconstruction services.
The impact of these relief efforts is immediately felt by those in need. Mrs. Adebayo, a displaced Bayelsa resident, told today: ‘I never thought I would see the day when people I have never met would help me. The mosquito nets, food and clothes we received were a great blessing to our family and I am very grateful.’
However, these relief efforts are not without their challenges. The team is having difficulty reaching people in remote IDP camps, convincing people to donate, verifying the trust of community leaders, and getting food because the roads have been cleared and the country has put a curfew in place to maintain security.
Despite these obstacles, the efforts of Faces of Web3 and its partners (coldscollective and chaosdao) have had a profound impact on the communities affected by the flood. These actions are a testament to the resilience and altruism of citizens in the face of disaster.
In conclusion, the flooding in Nigeria is a devastating event, but it also provides an opportunity for citizens to come together and make a difference in the lives of their fellow citizens. The stories of Faces of Web3 and Naijafloodaid inspire us to do our part in times of crisis.