The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has distributed food baskets to 2,450 vulnerable people in Kebbi.

The food basket package was donated by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), Saudi Arabia.

Flagging off the distribution at Kalgo Local Government Area on Wednesday, Gov. Nasir Idris expressed gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their unwavering support and generosity towards the people of the state.

“We are deeply grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their unwavering support and generosity towards the people of Kebbi.

“This is not the first time they have come to our aid, and we appreciate the cordial relationship that exists between our state and the Kingdom, particularly in matters related to Hajj,” he said.

Mr Idris, represented by his deputy, Umar Abubakar-Tafida, said the relief food baskets would go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the vulnerable families, adding that the state government was thankful for the timely intervention.

The governor also urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the items and to remember that the government shared their pain in their struggles.

“We wish to thank the federal government and commend NEMA for this intervention and similar others in the past, which are complementing the state government’s efforts in providing succor to our people who were displaced by flood and other disasters in the state,” Mr Idris said.

The governor commended NEMA for availing partnership through their Sokoto Operation office covering the state in the management of disasters.

Earlier, the director-general of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, noted that the event marked a significant milestone in their partnership with KSrelief Centre, which dated back to 2018.

“Since then, the centre has continued to entrust NEMA with humanitarian support in the form of food baskets that have been distributed directly to vulnerable persons in Borno, Yobe, Kano, Zamfara, Jigawa and Katsina states.

“The impact of these interventions have no doubt improved lives and given hope to the beneficiaries as evident in the positive testimonies of the people.

“Under the present food donation, the centre has graciously extended the gesture to Kebbi and Adamawa States with donation of 2,450 food baskets in each of the two states,” she said.

Ms Umar, represented by the director, special duties in the agency, Fatima Kasim, explained that the beneficiaries of the gesture were identified and profiled by NEMA in collaboration with the Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency.

“Each of the benefiting households will have a total 59.8 kilogram basket of food, comprising of 25kg of rice; 25kg of beans; 4kg of Masa Vita flour; 2kg of tomato paste; 2 litres of groundnut oil; 1kg of salt and 0.8kg of maggi cubes.

“It is heartwarming that this distribution is timely, coming when the people are preparing to welcome the Holy Month of Ramadan,” she said. 

The DG expressed sincere appreciation to the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre Saudi Arabia for their kindness and generosity.

“May your philanthropic efforts continue to inspire other organisations to follow your example by investing in the well-being of our citizens,” she prayed.

 (NAN)