As part of its routine humanitarian interventions and support for the Vulnerable Groups, particularly the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), ASATTAHIR Foundation distributed 1000 pieces of Food Packs to IDPs across various camps in the state. The Food and Nutrition support for the IDPs was carried out today the 19th December, 2022, side by side with awareness campaign against HIV AIDS and Tuberculosis in collaboration with Sokoto State Agency for the Controlof AIDS (SOSACAT).
At a very low key event today, the Founder and Chairman Board of Trustees of ASATTAHIR International Foundation, Aliyu Sidi Attahiru warmly received and introduced the representatives of SOSACAT led by the Executive Secretary of the agency Alh. Umar Bello Alkammawa, who led the awareness campaign on Prevention, Control and Testing for HIV/AIDS before the distribution of the food packs.
The Executive Secretary SOSACAT Alh. Umar Bello Alkammawa expressed appreciation to the Foundation for their humanitarian interventions and the opportunity to collaborate with it on HIV/AIDS as an important health and Livelihood concern for the Vulnerable Groups. The Executive Secretary expressed optimism that the collaboration will scale up HIV testing and the prevention of other dreadful and contagious diseases such as Tuberculosis in the State.
The Executive Secretary SOSACAT advised the IDPs to be mindful of the dreadful disease of HIV AIDS and Tuberculosis and pledged to stage an outreach to run investigations for the IDPs with the view to supporting them to stay healthy. The agency also declared its commitment to collaborate with AIF to embark on health outreaches for testing of diseases such as TB, Malaria and Flu.
The Community Mobilization Officer SOSACAT Wadata Hali while sympathizing with the IDPs over their present conditions, he called on parents to ensure good hygiene at all times and protect children from cold.
The representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs were in attendance. Speaking during the program, the Protection Officer Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Ukashatu Abubakar highlighted the Ministry’s continous commitment and support in the fight against Gender-Based Violence. It brought the attention of the IDPs to the established referral pathways and service providers available for the support of survivors of GBV in the state.
The Representatives of SEMA Attahiru Shu’aibu and Mika’ilu Mohammad also commended the sustained efforts and support of the foundation, particularly in bringing relief to IDPs in the areas of nutrition, shelter and health.
Speaking to the Newsmen, the Executive Secretary ASATTAHIR International Foundation Prof. Yahaya Tanko Baba identified some challenges undermining the security and welfare of the IDPs such as inadequate space, inadequate access to clean drinking water and security among others.
He gave the assurances that the Foundation will in collaboration with relevant agencies scale up these support programs to ensure appropriate response to the myriad of challenges affecting the security and welfare of the IDPs before their reintegration into the communities.
The brief event was rounded off with group pictures and exchange of pleasantries as well as discussion on the next steps regarding the full scale health outreach to be conducted at later dates.
