There are strong indications that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Home for the Needy may face starvation as managers of the camp are faced with acute food scarcity among the over 4, 000 persons being catered for in the shelter.
LEADERSHIP learnt that basic food items such rice, beans, garri, yam and other grains are running out of supply occasioned by the worsening food crisis situation in the country.
This development has informed the appeal by the operators of the home, calling on the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affair, non-governmental organizations, the Nigeria Custom Services (NCS), and faith based groups to come to the aid of the home.
The once lively camp is now a shadow of itself as the management and the founder make frantic efforts to feed the thousands of hungry IDPs.
The founder, International Christian Centre, Home of the Needy, Uhogua, in Ovia North East local government area of Edo State, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, said the camp is in desperate need of food items, school fees for students and other consumables.
Folorunsho, in tears, said, “We have been fasting for days now due to food shortages. Last week, we just did our three days of fasting and this week I don’t just want to push the students anymore. It was quite difficult, there was no food, we all came together and turned the fasting to prayers. The fasting we did last week was Thursday, Friday and Saturday, they believe that God will change the situation.
“I must say that this is one of the most difficult periods for us in terms of meeting the food needs of the IDPs. I could barely sleep every night hearing the cry of the children because of hunger. We need urgent help.
“That is why I’m appealing to NEMA, SEMA, Nigeria Custom Services, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and others to come to our aid.”
One of the IDPs, Andrew Joseph, also joined the coordinator of the camp to appeal to public spirited individuals, government and others to come to the aid of the camp.
