The Katsina State government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to ensure the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

The spokesperson of the State Operation Coordination Unit (SOCU), Marwan Darma, disclosed this on Saturday in Katsina at a Social Protection (SP) Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting.

The meeting aimed to review the fourth quarter progress made by the state ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) related to the SP activities.

He said the MoU was signed by the executive director of the Katsina State Social Investment Programme Agency (KASIPA), Mudassir Nasir.

Mr Darma further explained, “This was performed during an occasion held at the KASIPA Office, with Mr Mathew Attah signing on behalf of IRC.

“The signing agreement sought to allow IRC to mine from the state’s social register of Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHHs) to improve the welfare of IDPs and other less privileged members of society.

“Each beneficiary is expected to receive ₦69,000 for three consecutive months. Already, IRC commenced enumeration of these beneficiaries in Batagarawa and Jibia Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.”

According to Mr Darma, plans are underway to expand and complete the state social register of poor and vulnerable households.

He pointed out that the National Social Safety-net Coordinating Office (NASSCO) had approved the state government’s request, through KTSIPA, to expand the existing data of the state social register.

Mr Darma added that the request was to pave the way for SOCU to expand coverage to accommodate the poor and vulnerable populace in the 34 LGAs.

“It is also aimed at capturing some communities not yet covered in the register across 12 LGAs that have been impacted by varying economic and socio-economic shocks/challenges, the activity which would be funded by the state government.

“NASSCO expected the state to adhere strictly to the best practice of targeting, which includes but not limited to maintaining a high level of accountability and transparency.

“Fair and objective in the conduct of the exercise, comply with the Community Based Targeting (CBT) principles and practices, utilise the PVH checklist for data collection and emphasise NIN collection as mandatory verifiable.

“And also develop and forward work plans and coverage of LGAs, the number of communities, number of PVHHs and individuals to NASSCO,” he said.

The state’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning organised the meeting with support from the UNICEF Kano Field Office.

(NAN)