Nigeria's Red Cross distributes food aid during lockdown

The Nigerian Red Cross in Lagos distributed relief packages on Saturday to people struggling with coronavirus lockdown measures in the vulnerable community of Makoko.

The city is currently in lockdown as Nigeria attempts to stem the spread of the virus which has devastated countries across the globe.

Nigeria Red Cross branch chairwoman Adebola Kolawole said that "there is so much hunger" and that efforts included distributing packages with basics food that could last a family for a week.

Charles Ogbu is a tailor at the fabric market in Yaba and said he had been struggling to feed his wife and five children.

"There is no money", he said, adding that "life has been so hard, but this relief has come at the right time."

The packages include essential food items that the Nigerian Red Cross says could feed a family of six for one-week.

Nigeria has so far reported 1,095 virus cases and 32 deaths, according to a running tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.