WFP to support IDPs fight hunger, poverty in North East

The Executive Director of United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Ms. Ertharin Cousin, has said that one million returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the Northeast are to be assisted with improved seeds and agricultural inputs in the process of rebuilding destroyed communities during this year’s cropping season.

The beneficiaries are drawn from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.Cousin disclosed this yesterday in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, when a delegation of the WFP paid an official visit to Governor Ibrahim Gaidam at the Government House.

She said this year’s Agricultural Input Support (AGRIS) was to improve productivity of farmers to fight hunger and poverty in the zone.“Out of the three most affected states, Yobe alone has 350,000 people that will benefit from the WFP arrangement to reduce the levels of poverty and unemployment in the state.

“This agricultural programme was aimed at checking hunger and poverty among the people who suffered insurgency for over five years.”

She appreciated the role played by the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for actualising the assistance for the less privileged in society and assured that the WFP would work hard towards returning peace, growth and even development of the affected region.

Gaidam, who was represented by his Deputy, Abubakar Aliyu, said over 600, 000 IDPs and other less privilege have benefited from WFP cash transfer and food assistance.

He also thanked WFP for establishing a centre for capacity development on humanitarian studies at the state university, adding that it would enhance the capacity of operators of humanitarian activities in the insurgency affected states.