Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq on Saturday provided palliatives to about 460 households of Persons Living with Disability (PLWDs) in Karimajiji community, Federal Capital Territory.
Farouq said that the Ministry also was in the same community in April and distributed hygiene materials to people with special needs.
According to her, World Bank estimates that PLWDs constitutes 15 per cent of Nigeria’s population and represents one of the most vulnerable groups.
“In moments like this coronavirus pandemic, we always want Social Safety Nets to reach this group in the society.
“We had a meeting with PLWDs at the Army Resource Centre recently on how they can benefit from Federal Government’s interventions to cushion the effect of the lockdown on them.
“I want to assure you that we shall take action as soon as the Technical Committee submits its report on the issue.
“However, today, we are here to distribute palliatives to PLWDs in Karimajiji community to demonstrate our love and care for them. They are well organised and coordinated.
“The items we brought include bags of rice, salt, vegetable oil, bags of sugar, cartoons of Maggi, Macaroni and wrappers for distribution to about 460 households numbering over 1,000 persons.
“Be rest assured that we shall continue to bring good things to this community.
“We also hope to visit other communities with PLWDs in the country,” she said.
In his response, Alhaji Mohammed Danteni, a representative of PLWDs in Karimajiji, said the lockdown had adversely affected the community.
“We want to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for caring for us during this lockdown period.
“We are begging for place of residence. Here, we live in makeshift buildings which is not conducive for us and our families.
“We will appreciate it if you take our cry for a place to stay to Minister of FCT so that he can come to our aid,” he said.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that Farouq supervised the distribution of the palliatives to PLWDs and urged them to be peaceful and law abiding.
