The Victims Support Fund (VSF) on COVID-19 has begun the third phase of distribution of food items and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth N853.5 million in seven North West and North Central states.
Mrs. Toyosi Ogunsiji, Chairperson of VSF Task Force on COVID-19, disclosed this on Monday in Minna, while donating the items worth N107.9 million to the Niger state Government.
“The total cost of the third phase of the VSF taskforce for COVID-19 support to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the most vulnerable and government is N853.5million,” she said.
Ogunsiji listed the food items to include rice, beans, maize, vegetable oil and salt, while the PPE include standard surgical face mask, reusable face mask, hazard suit, googles, boots, latex gloves and hand sanitiser.
She said that the items would be distributed to the seven states of Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Plateau, Benue and Niger.
She said Kano state got items worth over N110.4 million, Kaduna N130.3million, Zamfara, N107.9 million, Katsina N97.16 million, Benue N107.9million, Niger 107.9 million and Plateau N119.8 million.
According to her, the group also donated rice, beans, maize, vegetable oil, salt, face mask, hand sanitiser, hygiene kits and blankets worth N36 million to the National Commission for Refugees Migrants, Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS).
“The task force is working closely with the Federal and State Government Agencies involved in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic through collaboration with the NCFRMI to target IDP’s, refugees and the NCWS for the vulnerable women,” she said.
Ogunsiji said the task force would distribute the food items and PPE to 40,886 households which amounts to reaching 204,330 direct beneficiaries in the seven states.
She explained that the state governments would receive 50 per cent of the food items and PPE while the balance of 50 per cent would be distributed by the local Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s) directly to IDP’s and vulnerable people.
Responding, Gov. Abubakar Bello f Niger, said that the items would go a long way in ameliorating the sufferings of indegent persons in the state.
Bello, represented by Mr. Ibrahim Ebbo, his Special Adviser on Special Duties, said that the Non Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) in the state would ensure transparent and judicious distribution of the items.
He appealed for more assistance in the area of flooding affecting rural dwellers and farmers affected by banditry. (NAN)
