UN To Partner Yobe Govt. On Emergency Response Programme

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The United Nations World Food Programme has indicated interest to partner Yobe State on some immediate response programmes in the northeast state of Nigeria.

The immediate response programme could be in the provision of infrastructure to devastated areas, supply of food to alleviate sufferings of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the insurgency prone areas of the state, education, health and nutrition among other technical assistance.

The Yobe State Coordinator of the United Nations World Food Programme, Dr. George Fedha, in a meeting with representatives of the Yobe State Government, led by the Deputy Governor, Abubakar Aliyu, said that one area the UN would partner Yobe State is to reconstruct the Katarko-Gujba bridge, which was destroyed by the insurgents barely two years ago.

The construction of the bridge he said is subject to the economic viability of the area, its usage and the current security situation indicating the safeness of the bridge if reconstructed.

The Coordinator also said that the UN Food Programme would partner with the state in emergency response issues bordering on the IDPs.

Alleviate Suffering

Dr. Fedha disclosed that the programme is aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the IDPs and lessen the burden on the state government, as well as relatives and friends of the host communities who have long being over stretched as a result of the long stay of the displaced persons.

According to him, their mission is to partner with the government of Yobe State and strategise on how to venture into an area that will assist the IDPs better.

The Coordinator expressed happiness with the state government’s response to the wish of the UN team and expressed optimism that they would venture into meaningful programmes that will improve the plight of the displaced persons and the state as a whole.

Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, who was represented at the meeting by his Deputy, expressed appreciation to the UN Food Programme for the interest shown to collaborate with the state government in improving the needs and welfare of the displaced persons.

The Governor, who commended the steps taken by the UN Food Programme, urged other donor agencies to emulate them in the immediate response strategies aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the displaced whom he said have overstretched their host communities and relations in safe areas.