As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has launched a large-scale food distribution programme aimed at supporting 1,900 vulnerable households across nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Yobe State.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony in Damaturu on Wednesday, the NEDC State Coordinator, Professor Ali Ibrahim Abbas, emphasised that the initiative primarily targets internally displaced persons, farming communities affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, and Persons with Disabilities.
“The NEDC, under the directive of our Managing Director, Mohammed G. Alkali, is committed to complementing the Yobe State Government’s efforts in alleviating hardship, especially as the fasting period nears.
This intervention is part of our broader strategy to support communities in need across the region,” Abbas stated.
The Yobe State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr Mairo Amshi, lauded the commission’s timely intervention, describing it as a fundamental step in addressing food insecurity among vulnerable groups.
She commended the NEDC’s consistent collaboration with the state government, particularly through her ministry. “We deeply appreciate the NEDC’s management for their dedication and for fostering a productive partnership with the state.
This intervention will go a long way in easing the burden on many struggling households,” Amshi remarked.
She officially handed over the food items to the Chairman of the Yobe State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Alhaji Bura Gabai, for equitable distribution among beneficiaries.
In his response, Alhaji Gabai expressed gratitude for the support and acknowledged the proactive role of the state government under Governor Mai Mala Buni in establishing a commission dedicated to addressing the needs of persons with disabilities.
Similarly, key stakeholders, including the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the NEDC Focal Person, and the Executive Chairman of Yusufari Local Government, speaking on behalf of other LGAs, commended the commission’s intervention, while stressing the importance of sustained efforts in providing relief to communities affected by conflict and economic hardship.
Neptune Prime reports that the NEDC’s food distribution programme is expected to continue in other parts of the state as part of broader efforts to cushion the economic impact of insecurity and displacement on vulnerable populations.
