By Tayo Joseph, Lagos
The Government of People’s Republic of China has donated 135, 500 bags of rice for distribution to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east region.
Mr Bashir Garga, National Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Maiduguri.
Garga said the commodity was donated to the Nigerian Government by the Government of People’s Republic of China, as part of its contribution to the humanitarian challenges in the north-east.
He said that 6, 779 tonnes of rice were supplied to the agency for onward distribution to displaced persons in the six states of the zone.
The zonal coordinator added that the agency had worked out effective modalities to facilitate smooth distribution exercise, expected to be completed by the end of February.
According to him, NEMA as the lead agency under the National Humanitarian Response Plan (NHRP), formally announced the delivery of first consignment of 6, 779 tonnes of rice.
“It is expected that the delivery of the 135, 500 bags to the displaced persons in the region will be completed on or before the end of February,” he said.
Garga, who commended the government`s efforts, added that the support would address the humanitarian crisis caused by Boko Haram insurgency.
He also said that the Federal Government has been distributing food items to persons displaced by the insurgency under its Emergency Food Intervention in North-East (EFINE) since June, 2017.
“It will be recalled that the government had distributed over 40, 000 tonnes of assorted of grain to displaced persons under the programme in the north-east.
“Food items are being distributed on monthly basis to deserving households at Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, liberated and host communities.
