The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has provided basics such as clothing, beds, and bags of rice to individuals with disabilities whose homes were destroyed by fire in Karmojiji village, Abuja.
The exercise was unique, according to NEMA director-general Zubaida Umar, who led it yesterday in Abuja. This is because the intervention was directed at people with disabilities who had experienced a fire outbreak that destroyed their homes, negatively impacted their livelihoods, and caused them to endure hardship while managing underlying vulnerabilities.
“Recall that the National Commission for Persons Living with Disabilities’ executive secretary recently visited the agency to look into potential areas of mutual support and collaboration,” the speaker stated in records she reviewed upon returning to work at NEMA. The executive secretary had asked for humanitarian assistance to be provided to the disabled individuals impacted by the fire in Karmojiji village, Abuja Federal Capital, during the visit. After that, after receiving an incident assessment report, I thought it was critical that NEMA carry out this relief effort in order to assist the impacted parties.
Therefore, today’s event fulfills that pledge to assist people with disabilities, who also suffer disproportionately from calamities like the recent fire epidemic.”
1,984 bags of rice (5 kg), 183 mattress pieces, 183 blankets, 183 pieces of guinea brocade (five yards), 183 pieces of children’s clothing, 183 pieces of women’s clothing, 183 pieces of men’s clothing, 183 pieces of plastic buckets, 183 pieces of plastic plates, 183 pieces of cups, and 183 pieces of spoons were among the relief supplies distributed.
The head of NEMA, however, issued a warning to the recipients, saying, “These items are not for sale, they are meant to put a smile on your family members’ faces, especially as we prepare to celebrate Eid el Fitr at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. They are meant for personal use only. The relief supplies are intended to help you get back on your feet and resume your regular life; they are not intended as payment for the losses you have endured.