COVID-19: VSF distributes relief materials to IDPs in FCT

The Victims Support Fund (VSF) Task Force on COVID-19 on Tuesday distributed food items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Malaysian Gardens in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mrs. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, head of the task force, said that the exercise was to mitigate the hardship that Nigerians, particularly the vulnerable, were experiencing at this period of pandemic.

The Chairman of VSF, Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, inaugurated the VSF task force on COVID-19 to provide palliatives to Internally Displaced Persons and other vulnerable groups around the country.

The task force donated 10 kg bags of rice, beans, maize, garri, four litres of vegetable oil and two kgs of salt.

Akerele-Ogunsiji said that 27,000 households across Lagos, Ogun, Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and Taraba states would also benefit from the gesture.

She added that critical stakeholders and partners across these states would also get medical consumables, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities and personal protective equipment.

“We are also working with the vulnerable, institutions and agencies supporting the government as part of its contribution to national efforts in the fight against COVID19.

“The task force is working closely with all the relevant agencies at the Federal, State and Local government levels working to contain the pandemic,” she said.

She advised IDPs on the need to observe sanitation guidelines to curtail the further spread of the disease.

According to her, VSF is committed to sustaining efforts in the global fight against the devastating Coronavirus pandemic.

“And will continue to work to provide succuor to victims of insurgency and armed conflict in Nigeria, especially in the areas of livelihood, recovery, education, protection, infrastructural development as well as research and peace building,” she said.

FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu commended VSF for the donation, saying that it was the first time the ministry would be receiving such huge donation from private organisation.

READ ALSO: Lagos to focus more on security, welfare- Sanwo-Olu

Aliyu assured the VSF team that the items would be judiciously distributed among the targeted audience.

Aliyu was represented by Mr. Abbas Idriss, director-general FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Earlier, the Chairman of the IDPs camp, Mr. Chakule Lawal, on behalf of the beneficiaries, appreciated VSF for the gesture.