Department for International Development (DFID) has joined efforts with the International Christian Development Organization (CBM) to offer humanitarian assistance to disabled persons in the North East region of Nigeria.
Country Director of CBM, Bright Ekeremadu revealed this recently in Abuja at a workshop on Disability-Inclusion Humanitarian Action, Dailytimes reports
Ekeremadu said the workshop was coming at a time when the need to raise awareness on disability inclusion in aid –related programmes became necessary, in a bid to improve the quality of life of persons living with disabilities in remote areas of the country.
He said, “In order to build inclusive and resilient communities and comprehensive initiatives that strengthen capacity and systems, a key element of CBM’s programmatic priorities is to ensure that people with disabilities have equitable access to aid during and after humanitarian crises.”
The North East Humanitarian Team Leader, DFID Nigeria, Mischa Foxell, affirmed the organization’s support towards humanitarian assistance to people in the region, adding that the scheme is aimed at delivering effective response to the basic needs of vulnerable people affected by the crisis.
Foxell said, “Over the next five years, the programme will ensure that conflict-affected populations in the North East are more resilient and better able to cope with crisis. In doing so, the programme will support interventions spanning response, recovery and development.
“It will achieve this by delivering humanitarian assistance in areas of nutrition and food security, protection and education in emergencies and multi-sectoral support, including health, water, shelter and livelihoods interventions in the North East.” She stated.
Adding her voice, National President, Centre for Advocacy for Persons with Disability, Nike Omotunde Johnson, applauded CBM for the sensitization support to ensure that the rights of disable persons are upheld, calling on the Federal Government to employ sign language interpreters in government offices.
“This workshop is coming at the right time, as we all know, we have natural and human disasters. This workshop is a platform to sensitise the non-government sector on matters affecting people living with disabilities during natural disaster. Disability is not inability, is just ability to perform certain task. We thank God and the donors both local and international for the sensitization and support to help us get our rights as citizens.’’ Johnson said.
The workshop which is an initiative of key stakeholders in Nigeria was graced by senior representatives of government and donor agencies.
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