In recent years, communities in Sokoto State in Northwestern Nigeria have come under attacks from terrorists also called bandits.
The development has led to the death of many and displaced several families. The victims of the lingering attacks are faced with pain, hunger, poverty, and trauma.
Many communities in Goronyo, Gada, Gwadabawa, Illela, Isa, Sabon Birni and Tangaza Local Government Areas have all been attacked. Amid the ensuing melee, many flee their homes to seek safety elsewhere.
About 50,000 residents from 17 affected communities in Sabon Birni are currently taking refuge at Dan Dadji Makaou, Shadakori and Garin Kaka villages in Maradi, Niger Republic.
In its report, the UN said the insecurity in Sokoto has displaced 71,289 persons and caused the cross-border movement of 80,900 refugees.
But amidst the fear and trauma of their insecurity, many victims have chosen to look beyond their immediate challenge.
Homeless not hopeless
Khadija Umar, 40, had a close shave with death when bandits repeatedly attacked her hometown in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto. While she was lucky to escape, her husband and other relatives were not fortunate.
Umar fled her community and now resides in one of the Internally Displaced Person’s Camps at Ramen Kura within the metropolitan area of Sokoto state.
While she survived, life has not been kind to her as she struggled daily to feed herself, pushing her to depend on alms to survive.
But recently, a small respite came her way and other residents of the camp.
The Fasaudat Support Foundation intervention
Fasaudat Support Foundation is a non-profit organisation whose primary objectives are philanthropy and enhancing the social well-being of the people, particularly the poor.
As part of its effort to reach out, the foundation’s visited the Ramen Kura IDP camp, where it donated bags of rice, cartons of Indomie, groundnut oil, detergent and bathing soap at the IDP camp. Others are cartons of milk, Bournvita, Milo and bags of Sugar.
Hajiya Fatima Ahmad Maigari, the foundation’s founder, said the visit was to identify with the IDPs and render humanitarian services to them.
Maigara encouraged citizens to unite and help citizens in need, especially those displaced due to the insurgency.
“It is with high sense of humility and our commitment to continue to provide succour for the less privileged in our society that we are here today to pay a humanitarian visit to the occupants of this camp,” she said.
Maigari added that the foundation also supported the building of a nursery and primary school for less privileged kids.
On his part, Binta Abubakar, a leader in the camp, applauded the foundation’s efforts and called on others to emulate the group’s gesture.
Apart from Fasaudat Support Foundation, other Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) like Assatahir International Foundation, Crystal Muslim Organisation, and Sa’ar Mata Foundation also support IDPs in the Sokoto metropolis.
This story was produced in partnership with Nigeria Health Watch through the Solutions Journalism Network.
