As part of activities marking this year’s World Refugee Day, African Refugees Foundation (AREF) distributed food to vulnerable members of the society in Ebute Metta, Iyana Ipaja, Lawanson, Idi Araba among other places it visited.
While some were given cooked food, others got raw food items that could cater for a family of four. The food distribution was flagged of by Senator Gbenga Ashafa, who also delivered a lecture in line with the theme of the event.
Delivering his speech, Ashafa said that 3.3 million displaced persons in Nigeria must not just be seen as statistics but be given hope through providing the necessary support and opportunities for them to rebuild their lives.
He stated that the yearly World Refugee Day is more than a date on the calendar but a call to action, as it compels all stakeholders to acknowledge the struggles of those who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, natural disasters and political and economic instability.
Quoting the global figure of displaced persons, he said: “We must remember that these people are not just statistics. They are individuals like you and I, with dreams and aspirations. They are mothers, fathers and children. They want to rebuild their lives, given the chance. Our role is to support them by offering sustainable solutions to their plight.
“I must reiterate that hope is what sustains individuals in the darkest of times. It is the belief in a better future, a better life and a safer environment. For refugees and IDPs, hope is a lifeline. It is our duty, as a society, to nurture this hope by providing the necessary support and creating opportunities for them to rebuild their lives,” Ashafa stated.
The Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Olujimi Olusola, underscored the importance of promoting and ensuring peace through dialogue as it is critical to checking the statistics around refugees and displaced persons, more so that war is more expensive than peace.
