The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) has began discussions with the Victims Support Fund (VSF) towards supporting victims of terrorism in the state.
The VSF plans a three-year intervention programme to support victims of terrorism in Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Zamfara.
Muhammad Mukaddas, Executive Secretary, KADSEMA, made the disclosure on Thursday in Kaduna, during a consultative meeting with VSF officials on the humanitarian situation in the state.
He said the meeting would highlight and re-evaluate the situation of Internally Displaced Persons in various camps to identify gaps for assistance.
“We are here to discuss key areas where the VSF intends to concentrate and work on in the state,” Mukaddas said.
He expressed appreciation to the VSF on behalf of the state government for coming to support victims of terrorism in different parts of the state.
The SEMA boss said that the intervention would complement their efforts in reducing the hardship being experienced by the targeted benefitiaries.
Kwagha Johnah, the VSF Programme Officer, said the meeting was necessary to open up discussions as the fund works with existing structures to ensure that the programme design are in line with the states’ policies.
She said that the project would run for three years with the first four states to benefit as Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and Zamfara.
Johnah said the fund would be focusing on livelihoods and recovery, educational and mental health support, as well as peace building.
According to her, the fund has been in operation since 2014, assisting victims of terrorist attacks in the Northeast and implementing projects that restored their means of livelihood.
She said the expansion of terrorism from the Northeast to various states made it imperative on the VSF to expand its support line.
The programme officer said that the fund has being supporting victims in areas of education, agriculture, peace building, and improving livelihoods of women and youths.
Earlier, VSF Team Leader, Divid Garnvwa, appreciated SEMA for providing enabling environment to discharge their mandate in the state.
Also, Hauwaja Gambo, Permanent Commissioner, Kaduna State Peace Commission, said VSF intervention was timely, as it would provide succour and contribute in achieving peaceful coexistence in the state.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Police, Red Cross, Peace Commission, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, state Fire Service, Ministries of Education and Agriculture, and civil society groups
