Government, VSP Plan Intervention For Victims Of Kaduna, Others

The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) says it has started discussions with the Victims Support Fund (VSF) to find ways 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.

Executive Secretary, KADSEMA, Muhammad Mukaddas disclosed this on Thursday in Kaduna during a consultative meeting with VSF officials on the humanitarian situation in state.

According to him, the meeting 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 appreciations 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 state government efforts in reducing the hardship being experienced by the pptargeted benefitiaries.

Also speaking, the VSF Programme Officer, Kwagha Johnah said the meeting is 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.

According to NAN, 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.