Borno Can Looses 7 Idps, 2 Encounter Psychiatric Problems... As Nema Organises Stakeholders Meeting

Seven out of the registered 48,348 Christian Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs) lost their lives at various Camps in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, while two others had encountered Psychiatric problem before they were admitted at the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, treated and discharged.

This was disclosed by the Vice Chairman CAN, Borno chapter, Reverend Father John Bakara and the Christian Camp coordinator, Mr. Daniel Garga at a One Day stakeholders meeting organised by the Director General, National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA), Alhaji Sani Sidi which took place at the Women Development Centre, Maiduguri.

The NEMA DG who was the Chairman of the occasion was represented by the State Coordinator, NEMA, Alhaji Muhammed Kanar. The meeting served as a common platform for interaction and exchange of ideas, in order to enhance synergy and effective collaboration among humanitarian Actors involved in Emergency Management in the state already ravaged by Boko Haram insurgency.

CAN therefore stated that since the sacking of many communities by insurgents last year, several Christian IDPS from Gwoza, Chibok, Damboa, Askira/Uba, Kukuwa local government areas and Michika as well as Madagali council areas of Adamawa state were forced to relocate to Maiduguri, in which, CAN had provided them with food and shelter in various churches such as Anglican Church, St. Hillary polo, CAN secretariat, EYN DCC Secretariat, Assemblies of EYN Church, Shagari low cost among others.

The CAN representatives also said even though, many of their displaced Brethern had to take refuge with their relatives and church members in relatively safer places like Maiduguri and other neighbouring states of Gombe, Adamawa, and Abuja, much attention need to be done by both NEMA and the State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA) to cushion the hardship of the IDPs.

In his remarks, the Secretary of Jama'atul Nasir Islam, (JNI) Mallam Tijjani Modu while commending NEMA for living up to its expectations, also called on Borno state government through SEMA to construct additional toilet facilities at various Camps in the state, as according to him, shortages of toilets at NYSC camps, Government College, Yerwa, Teachers Village and other IDP camps will pose more danger to their health, especially now that the rainy season is fast approaching.

Likewise most of the coordinators of the camps who spoke at the occasion commended NEMA and SEMA for their effort aimed at giving a sense of belonging to the IDPS, but however complained of lack of mosquito nets, bedding/mattresses, water scarcity and adequate security in the camps.

Responding the NEMA Coordinator, Alhaji Muhammed Kanar promised that all their problems will be addressed in collaboration with SEMA.

Kanar noted that the essence of organising the meeting was to interact with them and hear their problem (s) with a view to effectively and immediately address them.

He said that, since the displacement of thousands of people from their communities by insurgents, NEMA/SEMA had established 14 camps in the state and relief materials were distributed on weekly basis to cushion the hardship, pointing out that all their demands will be looked into and addressed.

> He called on all and sundry to pray for the restoration of peace to the state and the country as a whole, even as he urged the insurgents to lay down their arms for the progress of our socio - collective advancement.