NEMA distribute food, non-food items to 9,000 fire victims
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday donated food and non food items to 9,000 victims of fire incident at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Monguno, Borno State.
Presenting the items, Dr Mustapha Maihaja, Director General of NEMA, said the gesture was part of the Federal Government’s rapid response to support the victims and alleviate their sufferings.
The NEMA boss recalled that the IDPs’ camp was gutted by the inferno two weeks ago, a situation that led to loss of three lives, personal belongings and displacement of many households.
“I am are here in Monguno today with the Chairperson of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to flag off the distribution of relief materials to the victims of fire disaster that occurred two weeks ago.
“There is nothing we will give you today that will be enough to replace what you have lost, but just to cushion and ameliorate your sufferings.
“Items to be distributed include rice, beans, cooking oil, blankets, clothing materials and mattresses as well as other non food items,” he said.
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Maihaji explained that NEMA had also provided additional tents to address the problem of shelter in the camp.
The DG said that NEMA has established about 150 camps through multi-sector operation involving agencies such as International Organization of Migration, Action Against Hunger, SEMA and other organisations providing humanitarian relief services.
“One of our greatest challenges is lack of shelter for the IDPs.
“When I was coming to this camp, I saw people with tents sleeping outside, and this is very devastating, but we shall do our best to address the problem,” Maihaja said.
Abdullahi Gana, an IDP, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that he lost all his belonging but the intervention from NEMA would go along way in alleviating his sufferings.
“We have been supported with tents, materials and timbers to rebuild our burnt homes but our major problem was lack of food and clothing.
“We, however, give God the glory and thank NEMA for the various interventions,” he said
On her part, Nafisa Bulama, another IDP, said she only escaped with the clothes she had on during the incident, and commended NEMA for the support.
NAN
