Qatar Foundation donates foodstuff to IDPs, vulnerable persons in Sokoto

Qatar Foundation, a charity and non-profit organisation, has donated foodstuff to 547 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), physically challenged and less privileged persons in Sokoto State.

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The Foundation’s Head of Social Affairs, Mr Shu’aibu Atiku, said during the distribution ceremony on Tuesday in Sokoto, that the gesture was aimed at cushioning the hardship faced by the people.

Atiku said the beneficiaries were part of the 5,030 persons selected to be supported by the foundation across the country.

He added that items distributed included rice, beans, semovita, vegetable oil, sugar and detergent in different categories as the beneficiaries were graded based on quantity.

He urged the beneficiaries to utilise the items to support their families and reiterated the foundation’s commitment to providing more assistance.

According to him, some of the beneficiaries are already on the foundation’s scholarship schemes and other supports and urged groups and well-to-do persons in the society to augment the foundation’s initiative through similar gestures.

Earlier, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Dr Jabir Maihula, had described the initiative as a wellcome development in view of the condition of some vulnerable persons in the society.

Maihula said Qatar foundation initiative had augmented the state government’s support programmes, noting that government had been supporting IDPs and other less privileged persons with food items, clothes, medication and other assistance periodically.

He explained that such gesture is welcome in recognition of the population, adding that another support is coming from Saudi Arabia for retraining of Islamic scholars and empowerment of vulnerable persons and others.

He highlighted that the present administration of Gov. Ahmad Aliyu, prioritised peoples’ welfare and empowerment through different packages, noting that the monthly stipend given to needy and physically challenged persons had doubled, capturing more beneficiaries.

Some of the beneficiaries, Malama Rahinatu Musa, Murjanatu Muhammad, Mussadiq Abubakar and Murtala Idris, expressed appreciation for the gesture and urged well-to-do individuals and organisations to emulate the foundation.

The distribution ceremony was attended by Mr Zaid Shu’aib, Mr Mujahid Abubakar from Qatar Foundation and other Islamic scholars.

NAN/Wumi