By Eze Nkechi
The Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has provided food assistance to the Borno State Government to support the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Bama, Konduga, Gwoza, Ngala, and Jere Local Government Areas (LGAs) who were previously housed at the Muna Garage IDP camp, which is being decommissioned by the state government.
The Director General NEMA Zubaida Umar who was represented by Director Relief and Rehabilitation Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu Usur was at Muna Garage IDP camp Maiduguri to present the food items to the state Governor Engineer Baba Gana Zulum on behalf of the federal government. In 2015/2016, NEMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Borno State to jointly provide relief assistance to the displaced population in camps. However, with the increasing number of displaced communities and the growing humanitarian needs, the Federal Government recognized the overwhelming situation faced by the Governments of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. Consequently, in 2017, the Federal Government approved the monthly Emergency Food Intervention for the North East (EFINE), covering 1.4 million IDPs across camps, host, and liberated communities, with the highest number of beneficiaries in Borno State. Presently, the Agency reaches out to 27 locations in the State.
The Governor received the items on behalf of the Returning IDPs at Muna IDP camp where the flag off of the routine Distribution of food items for the reurnees and other IDPs residing in other camps was conducted.
The approved items handed over for this intervention include:
i. 35,531 bags of Rice (10 kg)
ii. 27,865 bags of beans (10 kg)
iii. 24,736 bags of maize (10 kg)
iv. 2,501 kegs of vegetable oil (20 litres)
v. 2,025 cartons of tomato paste
vi. 1,614 cartons of seasoning cubes (20 kg)
vii. 837 bags of iodized salt (20 kg)
The Governor appreciated the gesture and support of the federal government through NEMA in catering for the welfare of IDPs in Borno state throughout the period of the insurgency
