As the Harmattan season approaches, bringing with it a cold and dusty atmosphere, the founder of the non-governmental organization, Educational Development, Family, and Community Peace Foundation (EDFCPF), Reverend Margaret John, visited the Maraban-Rido Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Chikun Local Government, Kaduna State.
The purpose of her visit was to provide assistance to the children at the camp by offering cold-weather clothing to protect them from cold-related diseases that can arise as the Harmattan season sets in.
She distributed warm clothing items such as jackets, hand gloves, and headwarmers, while also educating the children on how to protect themselves from the cold and other seasonal diseases.
Reverend Margaret John expressed her deep concern for the children, saying, “I can’t sleep with both eyes closed when I think about the lives of these kids at the camp. They are like my own children, which is why I saved money to purchase these Harmattan clothes with the support of my family.”
The Harmattan season brings unique health and environmental challenges, affecting skin, hair, and overall well-being. As the season approaches, thousands of IDPs are in urgent need of support from the Nigerian community.
Reverend Margaret John is appealing to wealthy individuals, corporate organizations, companies, governmental bodies, and non-governmental organizations nationwide to contribute toward assisting the impoverished IDP children at various camps across the north.
She stressed the critical role of their support in providing cold-weather clothing to those in need and encouraged individuals to donate spare Harmattan clothing to local churches and mosques.
In response, Eko Smile Support and Empowerment Initiative (ESSEI), an NGO that coordinates education and moral support for the children, under the leadership of Blessing Eko Sunday, called on well-meaning individuals to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kaduna State. They expressed their gratitude for the humanitarian assistance brought to the camp in Kaduna and emphasized the importance of wealthy Nigerians assisting IDPs with food, clothing, and other humanitarian aid.
They also urged civil society organizations to provide the IDP kids with study materials and other humanitarian necessities.
On the other hand, the Camp Commander Mr. Sule Adams commended the NGO that visited them and offered prayers for their continued support.
He also expressed gratitude to the Network of Peace Journalists for supporting the IDP kids with books, whiteboards, and other study materials.
Reports revealed that the camp is currently hosting over 4,800 internally displaced persons, including women, children, youth, and the elderly who were forced to flee 15 different communities due to banditry attacks and kidnapping incidents.”
