Coordinator expresses concern over food shortage in Edo IDP camp

Residents who have been displaced within the country at their camp in Uhogua, Benin City, Edo State, expressed their struggles on Thursday d...

Residents who have been displaced within the country at their camp in Uhogua, Benin City, Edo State, expressed their struggles on Thursday due to the nation's economic challenges.

The coordinator of the camp, known as the Home for the Needy Foundation, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, stated that because of financial difficulties, the feeding routine of the IDPs has decreased, noting that several students supported by the foundation in different universities are currently at home due to a delay in unpaid tuition fees.

He mentioned that due to financial constraints, a meal that once needed 15 bags of rice was now down to five.

Pastor Folorunsho, who also serves as the leader of the International Christian Centre, mentioned that providing for the large number of people was not an easy task, yet the center's dedication to helping the less fortunate has continued to drive them forward.

He stated, "Usually, for each meal, we prepare around 15 bags of rice, 12 bags of garri, and 100 yam tubers, but due to the economic situation, we cook whatever we have available for them."

Occasionally, we prepare five bags, and this is quite minimal. Their consumption has significantly decreased due to the economic situation.

At times, we may reach a point where we don't have enough money to purchase groceries, but loyal customers usually assist us, and once funds arrive, we settle our debts.

Right now, we don't have any food. We strongly encourage people to help with their meals and school expenses.

The coordinator revealed that the Home for the Needy Foundation was currently supporting more than 400 students at different universities throughout the country, but expressed concern that some universities were preventing students from taking exams because of outstanding fees.

We currently have more than 400 students enrolled in various universities, and while I'm speaking to you, over 60 of them have just completed their studies.

A few days ago, six physicians completed their studies along with the law graduates.

Approximately 70 students should have graduated by this point, yet the universities prevented them from taking their final year examinations.

"They are here with us, weeping, but we continue to inspire them by saying that God will bring kind-hearted people," the religious leader stated.

Regarding healthcare, Pastor Folorunsho stated, "We also require an ambulance, as sometimes when emergencies occur, we have to run up and down to find a vehicle, but if an ambulance is based here, we can quickly go to UBTH."

We also require medical laboratory equipment so that our healthcare workers can conduct tests at the clinic.

The coordinator, acknowledging those who have contributed to the IDPs, urged "well-intentioned Nigerians, non-governmental organizations, the international community, and even food-producing companies such as Dangote, along with all who care about humanity, to supply food for these children."

What these children require is nourishment. They must have access to education. They need writing materials and books. We require individuals who can cover the salaries of our teachers and the associated school expenses.

We are all aware of the backgrounds of these children; some witnessed their parents being killed, others saw corpses, they experienced various terrible things, so they were extremely traumatized at first.

Now that they have recovered from the trauma, we don't want them to experience it again due to not having enough food or being unable to afford school expenses.

Several of the displaced individuals had fled from conflict in the Northeast and made their way to the Home of the Needy in Benin.

In the camp, schools were set up by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and numerous students have since graduated from various universities across the nation.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).