Refugee Commission launches Project Zero Hunger
Rahila Lassa, Abuja
The National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria has taken a step further to alleviate the level of hunger amongst the indigents in the society.
The Commission in collaboration with the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association, showcased this at the official launch and flag-off of the Project Zero Hunger initiative.
The Federal Commissioner, Imaam lbrahim-Suleiman who launched the Initiative in Keffi, Nasarawa State, said food Insecurity is an issue of global concern especially with the recent statistics of almost 3 million internally displaced persons in Nigeria.
Represented by the Director Human Resources in the Commission, Bello Mohammed Bello, the Commission said the Initiative was aimed at providing care and durable solution to all persons of concern.
She said Nigeria has been a victim of both man-made and natural disasters with over 73, 000 registered refugees residing in the country from over 23 countries and about 500, 000 Nigeria refugees awaiting repatriation from Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Libya, Mali and other countries.
“The Project Zero Hunger as a necessity will help streamline and enhance the accessibility, distribution and availability of mainly food and non-food items to satisfy the immediate nutritional needs of all persons of concern using The Food Care Packs”.
“This Project will adopt and promote an integrated and whole of society approach which gives everyone the opportunity to complement the Federal Government effort especially in the Feeding POCs. At least one person can feed one person of concern (Each one Feed One), thus addressing the immediate challenges around hunger and malnutrition for our POCs. This will be allowing the commission to deploy more resources towards Durable and sustainable Solutions”.
” The Project Zero Hunger will also create a forum for different stakeholders to collaborate and support the Commission in mobilizing additional resources to positively make better impact in their lives while eliminating waste, reducing vulnerability, addressing issues of compromise and the duplication of efforts that was evident in the previous distribution of food and non-food items to persons of concern”. Ibrahim-Suleiman explained
Representing the President, Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association, Victoria Irabor, a member of the Association, Janet Ogwu said the visit and launch of the Initiative is the beginning of more assistance to Keffi.
” In due course, you will feel our presence and support”.
For his part, His Highness, the Emir of Keffi, Shehu Usman Chindo Yamusa 111, said it was a great honour for the Initiative to be launched in his dormain.
According to him, the Emirate had already considered giving the Persons of concern a place to stay and call their own.
” This will give the people a sense of belonging”. He noted
70 beneficiaries were selected and given the Zero Hunger Food pack.
The pack comprises condiments, toiletries, wrapper, grains and other basic household items.
