NEMA flags off distribution of relief materials to disaster victims in Kaduna
By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) has flagged off the distribution of relief materials to 2022 victims of flood disaster and most vulnerable people in Kaduna state, in line with the Special National Economic And Livelihood Emergency Intervention (SNELEI).
The Director General, (DG) NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, commenced the distribution in Kaduna over the weekend.
He said the Federal Government approved the intervention specifically for people affected by the 2022 flood disasters and those classified as the most vulnerable persons across the country.
The DG who was represented by the south-east Coordinator of NEMA, Ngozi Echeazu, remarked that a total of 660,884 households were verified and targeted to benefit from the special intervention across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ngozi also stated that agricultural inputs such as crop seedlings and equipment are given to take farmers back to the farm, stimulate crop production and safeguard national food security in the middle economic downturn, adding that the intervention is expected to stimulate value chain activities at the grassroots.
She said the livelihood support items are meant to help artisans improve their business and grow the economy and therefore called on the beneficiaries not to sell the items and destroy the good intention of the Federal Government.
The Coordinator also disclosed that NEMA staff were deployed to conduct the verification of the targeted
beneficiaries in collaboration with personnel from the States’ Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), State Agricultural Development Project and other relevant Stakeholders.
The items distributed are crops: Rice, Maize and Sorghum, Food and Non-food items, Sewing and grinding Machines.
In his response, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, said the gesture is a very welcome approach.
Balarabe, represented by his Deputy Chief of staff, Barrister James Kanyip, said, “The happiness here is the collaboration between NEMA, SEMA and other agencies with the State Government. It shows that there is a very strong bond when it comes to issue of disaster management and provision of relief materials to victims through this kind of intervention,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Sarah Dodo appreciated the presidency, Kaduna State Government, NEMA, and other relevant stakeholders for their quick response, promising that they will not sell the items but will use it judiciously to improve their livelihoods.
