Thousands of vulnerable individuals – including displaced persons and those living with special needs – will not go hungry thanks to interventions by NGOs, philanthropists and government. 

Tens of thousands of vulnerable individuals – including displaced persons and those living with special needs – have benefited from various interventions by local non-governmental organisations, philanthropists and the Borno State government.

This week, at least 48,000 displaced and disabled persons received food from a philanthropist in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, in Nigeria’s northeast.

The distribution was aimed at alleviating the hardships faced by less-privileged people, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.

“Our people have been plagued by armed conflict, devastating floods and record-high inflation in recent years. These realities have made life extremely tough for people with disabilities, many of whom are displaced. We needed to come to their rescue,” said Shettima Goni Ali Kaka, a philanthropist who initiated the intervention to support the less privileged.

Beneficiaries react

Baba Goni Abdulrahim, a beneficiary who lives in the Jere Local Government Area of Borno State, said he was grateful for humanitarian support.

“We received a bag of rice and other food items. It has been tough for us to fast for nearly 13 hours and when it is time to break the fast there is nothing to eat. At least now with this intervention, we have something to eat when we break our fast.”

Fanna Modu, a displaced woman living in Maiduguri, said: “Since our displacement 10 years ago by Boko Haram [the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’way Wa’l-Jihād – JAS], life has not been easy.

“In the past, we received humanitarian support from international non-governmental organisations [NGOs], but for more than five years now, we have not received any support.

“While we are immensely grateful to receive support now during the holy month, my wish is that the increased humanitarian aid we are witnessing will continue beyond Ramadan.”

Palliative distribution targets 48,000 beneficiaries

Shettima Goni Ali Lawan, a philanthropist and humanitarian, emphasised the importance of extending compassion and assistance to the needy, particularly during Ramadan when Muslims do not eat food or drink any liquids from sunrise to sunset every day of the holy month.

Ramadan is a time for Muslims to be especially charitable and to help the hungry and less fortunate.

“The intervention is timely and not limited to only my immediate community but also reaches disabled and displaced persons,” said Lawan

“Considering the impact of the 15-year ‘Boko Haram insurgency’ and the devastating flood that engulfed Maiduguri and its environs on September 10 last year, it is only right that during Ramadan those with means should support the less privileged, including the many displaced persons living in Borno State and those with special needs.

“Life is hard for these vulnerable people. This work cannot be left solely to the government or non-governmental organisations.”

Governor approves daily Iftar for vulnerable residents

Borno State governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved a large-scale daily Iftar programme, ensuring hot meals for 46,000 vulnerable individuals across Maiduguri and surrounding areas.

Iftar is the meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break their fast during Ramadan.

The programme, which took effect on Wednesday, March 12, follows an extensive Ramadan food distribution exercise in which the governor personally supervised the allocation of assorted food items to more than 200,000 households across Borno State.

“The feeding initiative is a direct response to the needs of our people, reflecting governor Zulum’s unwavering commitment to social welfare,” said Alhaji Hassan Abdallah Hassan, Ministerial Secretary and Permanent Secretary-Designate of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. “This is in addition to the large-scale food distribution before Ramadan, which reached hundreds of thousands of households.”

Borno State Community Watch said the daily Iftar programme was being executed through a coordinated effort involving 110 community leaders (Bulamas) and officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

These stakeholders are responsible for ensuring transparency, efficiency and equitable food distribution across all feeding centres.

SHETTIMA LAWAN MONGUNO