NEMA distributes food items to 16,000 households in Borno IDPs camp
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has commended the King of Saudi Arabia, King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the President of Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote for their humanitarian support to the people of the state, especially victims of Boko Haram insurgency and flood disaster.
He also assured that all the relief materials donated will be distributed accordingly and judiciously to those the materials are meant for while cautioning the officials involved in the distribution of the items to be prudent and accountable for the relief materials as check machinery will be constituted to monitor and coordinate the distribution exercise.
The governor stated this on Tuesday at El Miskin IDPs Camp located at Old Maiduguri in Jere LGA of the state while flagging off the distribution of relief materials donated by Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center , Saudia Arabia.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that about 16,000 food baskets were distributed to cater for 16,000 households in Borno state for two cycles.
The Chairman of Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation to Borno State, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who was represented by Alhaji Umar Gulani, said the relief materials have been successfully received and handed over to NEMA for onward distribution.
He assured of the continuous support of the presidency in assisting victims of flood disaster in any part of the country to alleviate their hardships.
On his part, The Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Ahmed Shehu appreciated the support and assistance of both the Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and that of the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Revalidation to the Government of Borno State.
He said: “The relief items are meant to support Nigerians affected by both insurgency as well as those impacted by the 2022 flood disaster in Borno State. As we are all aware, human and nature induced disasters including floods, insurgency and banditry amongst a host of others have affected several states of Nigeria.
“This has led to the displacement of persons and the dislocation of socio-economic activities in several communities. Responding to the humanitarian outcomes of this nature require concerted efforts from all levels of government, the private sector, individuals as well as international humanitarian actors.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development through NEMA has consistently worked with state governments to provide succor to the teaming displaced persons in the North East, North West as well as several other humanitarian hot spots nationwide,” Ahmed said.
The DG NEMA added that, “the good news is that, the Nigerian military has won the battle with insurgents. Normalcy is gradually returning to the North East region. Thanks to the sincere commitment of the Borno state government under stewardship of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, peace and security is returning to all the liberated communities”.
“Multitudes of IDPs have been resettled back home to live a normal life. As the saying goes, it is in time of crisis that real friends are identified while the government and the good people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have proven to be real friends and brothers of Nigeria through their great benevolence to the country”.
He also noted that NEMA’s partnership with the KSRelief dates back to 2018. Between 2018 and 2021, the centre donated relief items in form of food baskets to IDPs in Borno, Yobe and Zamfara States.
According to him, the impacts of these interventions have no doubt saved lives and given hope to the beneficiaries as evident in the positive testimonies of the people.
“I am extremely delighted that today, we are witnessing yet another act of benevolence from KSRelief. The centre has once again donated 16,000 food baskets to cater for 16,000 households in Borno state for two cycles.
“Each household is expected to have 59.8 kilogram basket of food comprising of 25kg of rice; 25kg of beans; 4kg of Masa Vita flour; 2kg of tomato paste; 2litres of groundnut oil; 1kg of salt and 0.8kg of maggi cubes.
“This food assistance will no doubt go a long way in sustaining resettled populations and IDPs in the targeted communities. The direct distribution of the items will be handled by NEMA in collaboration with Borno SEMA, our indefatigable partner in the North East.
The Dangote Committee on the other hand has donated relief items in form of food, non food items, building and hygiene materials to Borno state to support their recovery process from the 2022 flood disaster which has wrecked havoc in the entire federation including Borno State which is amongst the worst hit.
“The Dangote Committee is a typical example of the private sector supporting humanitarian causes as part of its corporate social responsibility. I want to use this occasion to commend the novel initiative of both the Dangote Committee and the KSRelief for procuring their humanitarian relief items locally, thereby positively impacting on the local economy and enhancing the recovery process”, he said.
” I am happy to announce that both the KSRelief and the Dangote relief items have already been delivered to the NEMA Zonal Office warehouse here in Maiduguri for onward distribution to the targeted beneficiaries by Borno SEMA in collaboration with NEMA and other partners.