The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has flagged off the distribution of 6,000 food baskets donated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) to vulnerable households in Yobe State.
The flag-off ceremony took place on Thursday in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, as part of a broader humanitarian intervention aimed at supporting vulnerable populations across five Nigerian states.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Umar described the donation as a reflection of the strong humanitarian partnership between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief.
She disclosed that KSrelief had donated a total of 24,302 food baskets for distribution to vulnerable persons in Yobe, Benue, Anambra, Kebbi and Taraba states.
“I am delighted to announce that the Centre has donated a total of 24,302 food baskets to be distributed directly to vulnerable persons in Yobe, Benue, Anambra, Kebbi and Taraba States. In Yobe State alone, a total of 6,000 households that have been profiled will receive the food baskets provided by KSrelief under this intervention,” she said.
The NEMA Director-General noted that similar distributions would be carried out in the other beneficiary states, extending relief and support to thousands of vulnerable families across the country.
She stated that the intervention would complement ongoing humanitarian efforts aimed at alleviating hardship among affected populations and strengthening community resilience.
Mrs. Umar also used the occasion to raise awareness on the increasing risk of flooding as the rainy season intensifies across several parts of the country.
“As the rainy season intensifies, it is important to draw attention to the increasing risks of flooding and related disasters across many parts of Nigeria, including communities in Yobe State,” she said.
She urged residents to clear drainage channels, avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse in waterways, relocate from highly flood-prone areas where necessary, and adhere strictly to early warning advisories issued by relevant authorities. She also advised parents to prevent children from playing in floodwaters and erosion-prone locations during periods of heavy rainfall.
The Director-General reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improving the welfare of citizens and addressing vulnerabilities arising from disasters, conflicts, climate-related emergencies and economic challenges.
According to her, humanitarian interventions such as the KSrelief donation significantly complement government efforts aimed at providing relief and strengthening resilience among vulnerable populations.
She urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items distributed and expressed optimism that the intervention would bring relief and comfort to affected households.
The Governor of Yobe State, Dr. Mai Mala Buni, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Mohammed Goje, commended KSrelief for the donation and appreciated NEMA for facilitating the intervention.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Yobe State Government to continued collaboration with NEMA and other relevant organisations in promoting effective disaster management, humanitarian assistance and social protection for vulnerable citizens.
Speaking on behalf of KSrelief, the Centre’s representative, Mr. Majeed Alanazi, said the donation was in line with the organisation’s humanitarian mandate to support vulnerable populations across the world.
He noted that the intervention underscores KSrelief’s commitment to humanitarian solidarity and continued support for the people of Nigeria.
The food baskets are expected to be distributed directly to identified vulnerable households in Yobe State and other beneficiary states under the programme.
