The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed bags of rice, mattresses, clothing among other essentials to persons living with disabilities who suffered fire outbreaks that destroyed their homes in Karmojiji village, Abuja.
The director-general of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, who conducted the exercise yesterday in Abuja, said the event was unique because the intervention was targeted at persons living with disabilities that suffered fire outbreak that destroyed their homes, degraded their livelihoods and subjected them to hardship even as they cope with underlying vulnerabilities.
She said, “Let me recall that records I met upon my resumption of duty at NEMA indicate that the executive secretary, National Commission for Persons Living with Disabilities, not long ago visited the agency to explore areas of mutual support and collaboration. During the visit, the executive secretary had requested for relief support to persons with disabilities affected by the fire incident in Karmojiji village, Abuja FCT. Thereafter and having received an assessment report on the incident, I considered it a matter of priority for NEMA to accomplish this relief intervention to support the affected persons.
“Today’s event is therefore a fulfilment of that commitment to support those persons living with disabilities who are also disproportionately affected in the event of disasters like the recent fire outbreak.”
Among the relief items distributed were 1,984 bags of rice (5kg), 183 pieces of mattress, 183 wax print for women (six yards), 183 pieces of blankets, 183 pieces of guinea brocade (five yards), 183 pieces of children clothes, 183 pieces of women clothes, 183 pieces of men clothes, 183 pieces of plastic buckets, 183 pieces of plastic plates, 183 pieces of plastic cups, 183 pieces of plastic spoons.
The NEMA boss however, warned the beneficiaries that the items are not for sale but for personal use, noting that, “these items are not for sale, they are meant to put a smile on the faces of your family members especially as we prepare to celebrate Eid el Fitr at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The relief items are not compensation for the losses you have suffered, but are meant to assist you to get back on your feet and return to normal life.”
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