ICRC, Red Cross Assist 469 Displaced Households in Sokoto
By Fahad Faruk Galadanchi
The International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC, in partnership with the Nigerian Red Cross Society NRCS Sokoto Branch, has provided relief materials to displaced families and children in Ramin Kurah, Sokoto State.
The intervention was implemented by the ICRC/NRCS Protection Team as part of efforts to respond to the humanitarian and protection needs of vulnerable families living in an Internally Displaced Persons IDP camp and neighbouring host communities.
Under the intervention, 100 households received child protection kits designed to meet the specific needs of adolescent girls, adolescent boys and newborn babies.
The kits distributed to adolescent girls contained mats, detergent, mosquito nets, blankets, soap, petroleum jelly and underwear. Adolescent boys received mats, detergent, soap, blankets, mosquito nets and petroleum jelly.
For newborn babies, the assistance included clothing, caps, detergent, soap, mosquito nets, blankets and petroleum jelly.
An additional 369 households received two mats each to help improve their sleeping conditions and provide basic household support.
The distribution exercise was attended by representatives of the Department of State Services DSS), Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency SEMA, League of NGOs and other humanitarian organisations.
Speaking on behalf of the Governing Council of the NRCS Sokoto Branch, its Disaster Management Adviser, Malam Abdul Nasir Muhammad Saleh, said the assistance demonstrated the society’s commitment to protecting and supporting vulnerable populations.
According to him, sustained humanitarian assistance and stronger cooperation among humanitarian organisations and government institutions remained necessary to address the challenges facing displaced communities.
“The Nigerian Red Cross Society remains committed to supporting vulnerable and displaced communities. Continued humanitarian assistance, protection and collaboration with partners are essential to addressing the needs of affected families and strengthening their resilience” Saleh said.
He thanked the ICRC and other partners for their support, noting that coordinated humanitarian interventions were important in reducing the hardships experienced by displaced families.
Beneficiaries and stakeholders welcomed the intervention, describing it as timely and relevant to the immediate needs of the affected households.
The NRCS said the assistance was intended not only to provide basic necessities but also to promote the dignity, safety and wellbeing of children and families affected by displacement.
It reaffirmed its readiness to continue working with the ICRC government agencies and other humanitarian partners to strengthen protection and humanitarian support for vulnerable communities across Sokoto State.
