Today 13th November, 2023, ASATTAHIR International Foundation (AIF) with support from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) Nigeria, distributed Emergency Shelter Kits and Non-food Items to IDPs/refugees at Ramin Kura IDP Camp in Sokoto, Sokoto State.
The event was attended by dignitaries from various government MDAs including the Honourable Commissioner and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development as well as Directors of Women Affairs and Child Development, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.
Other government functionaries in attendance included the Director General and Director Relief of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Director General Donor Agencies and NGOs, the Executive Secretary, Sokoto state Agency for the Control of Aid and Tuberculosis (SOSACAT), Security Agencies as well as Representatives of the State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and members of the Press among other stakeholders.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Foundation Prof. Yahaya Tanko Baba thanked the Sokoto state government for creating the enabling environment for the Civil Society Organizations and Development Partners to complement its untiring efforts in humanitarian endeavours.
He noted that IDPs and refugees are living in deplorable and sympathetic conditions that require urgent interventions in areas spanning from shelter, safe space, food and nutrition health to economic empowerment. He reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to cushioning the lamentable conditions of the IDPs and refugees.
Similarly, the Head of Programs and Research of ASATTAHIR International Foundation (AIF) Rufus Yagkong presented the statistics of the beneficiaries, adding that his team strictly followed the eligibility criteria set by the Danish Refugee Council in the selection process.
In his welcome address, the Founder and Chairman Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Aliyu Sidi Attahiru thanked the dignitaries for sparing time to attend the flag-off and distribution of items to beneficiaries despite their tight schedules.
He emphasized the Foundation’s urgency of responding to the plights of Internally Displaced Persons and refugees as informed by its choice as a key thematic area of ASATTAHIR International Foundation.
The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Hon. Ya’u Muhammad Danda applauded Danish Refugee Council for supporting various governments across the world in areas of humanitarian needs, particularly the Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees. He commended ASATTAHIR International Foundation for being in the forefront and the contact organization for persons displaced by conflicts, insecurity and/or natural disasters.
He further called on the beneficiaries to make good use of the items donated to them. He warned against exchanging the items for money whereas they are in dire need of the items they’ve received.
The Honourable Commissioner called on ASATTAHIR International Foundation to keep up the good work they are doing in the state. He reassured the Foundation of government’s continued support to this kind of collaboration and partnership with the Danish Refugee Council.
The Director Women Affairs Hajiya Habiba Ahmad in her goodwill message, commended AIF for being a partner that has been the succour for vulnerable groups . She recounted the various collaborative activities involving the Ministry and the Foundation in responding to the health, nutrition and social needs of vulnerable groups in the state.
The Director General State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) commended AIF and DRC for intervening in the areas of protection and social wellbeing of IDPs and refugees in the state, stating that the intervention is timely and on course.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of SOSACAT Mal. Umar Bello stated that his agency has partnered with AIF in various outreaches and health screenings of IDPs and vulnerable groups across some hotspots of possible outbreak of infectious diseases in the state and hoped that the collaboration with the Foundation will be expanded and sustained.
After speeches and goodwill messages from stakeholders, rhe items distributed were inspected by the dignitaries from various government MDAs in the state.
While presenting the items to some of the beneficiaries, the Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development expressed satisfaction with the quality and quantum of items donated to the beneficiaries.
The non-food items distributed included, Matrass, trays, cups blankets, sleeping mats, reusable sanitary pads, cooking pot, knife, service spoon, washing soaps, Jerry cans, plastic kettle, mosquito nets and big carrying bags.
The emergency shelter kits consisted of treated timbers, plastic sheeting, twisted ropes, blankets, mosquito nets and binding wires.
On receipt of the items, the beneficiaries were overwhelmed with joy and expressed their appreciation to AIF and DRC for coming to their aid especially at the onset of harmattan season, which require some sorts of shelter and protective materials against cold.
After the grandstanding ceremony, the group posed for a picture and exchanged pleasantries before departure.
