ICRC, Red Cross Distribute Hygiene Kits to 500 Vulnerable Families in Sokoto

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in partnership with the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Sokoto Branch, has provided household hygiene kits and health and protection awareness to 500 vulnerable people affected by displacement in Sokoto State.

The three-day humanitarian intervention, held from August 26 to 29, 2026, targeted vulnerable members of the Ramin Kurah Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) community and members of the host community.

The intervention combined the distribution of essential hygiene materials with sensitisation on personal hygiene, disease prevention, environmental sanitation, health-seeking behaviour, protection and accountability.

During the sensitisation exercise, Afiya Emmanuel of the ICRC Wathab Unit educated beneficiaries on household water treatment and personal hygiene, including the proper use of Aquatabs.

She advised beneficiaries to use one Aquatab to treat 10 litres of water and allow the treated water to stand for 20 minutes before use, in line with the instructions provided during the exercise.

She also stressed the importance of regular bathing, washing clothes, brushing teeth twice daily and maintaining clean surroundings to prevent the spread of diseases.

The beneficiaries were equally shown how to safely use and care for reusable menstrual hygiene kits.

The sensitisation was followed by a joint sanitation exercise involving members of the Ramin Kurah community, ICRC personnel and NRCS volunteers.

The NRCS Sokoto Branch Health and Care Officer, Zaharadeen Malami, urged beneficiaries to seek medical attention promptly whenever they notice signs of illness.

He identified Kofar Kade Primary Health Care Centre as the nearest health facility and disclosed that the facility had received medical support from the NRCS and ICRC, including medicines to improve access to treatment.

Malami encouraged beneficiaries to take advantage of the available health services free of charge.

On protection and accountability, Mamman Sanda, an ICRC Accountability to Affected People Officer, explained the channels available for beneficiaries to report protection concerns, exploitation, misconduct and other issues related to humanitarian assistance.

He urged beneficiaries to use the ICRC’s toll-free feedback and reporting mechanism whenever they encounter conduct that threatens their safety, dignity or rights.

“Beneficiaries have the right to receive humanitarian assistance in a manner that respects their dignity,” he said, encouraging affected persons to report concerns without fear.

The household hygiene kits distributed to beneficiaries contained two jerrycans, two buckets, two reusable menstrual hygiene kits, six tubes of toothpaste, six toothbrushes, three local brooms, two kettles, 12 multipurpose soaps, two packs of washing powder and 20 Aquatabs.

Transportation stipends were also provided to facilitate beneficiaries’ access to the distribution centre at the NRCS Sokoto Branch Office.

Auwal Kassim, who oversees ICRC activities in Sokoto State, commended the Nigerian Red Cross Society Sokoto Branch for its commitment and contribution to the successful implementation of the intervention.

He urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the items provided and apply the hygiene and health information shared during the exercise.

He also praised NRCS volunteers and personnel for their dedication to humanitarian service.

Speaking during the distribution, Ibrahim Shehu Dange, Secretary of the NRCS Sokoto Branch, urged beneficiaries not to sell the items provided to them.

He advised them to use the materials for their intended purposes, maintain good personal hygiene and keep their surroundings clean.

Dange appreciated the ICRC for its continued support to vulnerable populations in Sokoto State and commended Red Cross volunteers for their tireless efforts.

The final phase of the intervention was conducted on Saturday, August 29, with the distribution of the remaining hygiene kits to 63 vulnerable members of the host community.

With the completion of the exercise, a total of 500 beneficiaries were reached, comprising 437 internally displaced persons and 63 members of the host community.

The inclusion of host community members, according to the organisers, reflects an effort to support vulnerable populations living alongside displaced persons, promote social cohesion and reduce potential tensions over humanitarian assistance.

The intervention demonstrates the importance of combining material assistance with hygiene education, health information, protection awareness and accountability mechanisms to strengthen the wellbeing and dignity of displaced and vulnerable communities.

The Nigerian Red Cross Society, in collaboration with Movement partners and other humanitarian stakeholders, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting vulnerable and displaced populations in Sokoto State through principled humanitarian action and community-based assistance.