By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
Yobe State Government has commended the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for its timely humanitarian intervention in support of 2,038 households affected by the recent windstorm disaster in Gashua, Bade Local Government Area of the state.
The commendation came as the NEDC, in collaboration with the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), flagged off the distribution of food and non-food relief materials to the affected families on Monday.
Representing the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NEDC, Mohammed G. Alkali, the Commission’s Yobe State Coordinator, Prof. Ali Ibrahim Abbas, said the intervention followed an assessment of the devastating impact of the windstorm, which destroyed homes and disrupted the livelihoods of many residents.
He disclosed that the relief package was approved after the NEDC leadership engaged with the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni, CON, with the directive that all 2,038 verified victims receive immediate support to cushion the effects of the disaster.
“Today, we have gathered to sympathise with the people affected by this unfortunate natural disaster. The Managing Director/CEO has approved the distribution of food and non-food items to all identified beneficiaries as part of the Commission’s commitment to alleviating their hardship,” Prof. Abbas said.
The relief materials distributed include bags of rice, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, blankets and children’s clothing.
Prof. Abbas also appealed to residents to maintain clean surroundings and ensure drainage channels remain free of blockages to reduce the risk of flooding during the rainy season.
Speaking on behalf of the Yobe State Government, the Director of Search and Rescue Operations at SEMA, Dr. Ibrahim Jalo, expressed profound appreciation to the NEDC for its continued support to disaster-affected communities across the state.
He described the intervention as timely and impactful, noting that it reflects the strong partnership between the Yobe State Government and the NEDC in addressing humanitarian challenges.
He also appealed for sustained assistance to meet the growing needs of vulnerable communities.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Bade Local Government Area, Hon. Ibrahim Babagana, and the member representing Bade West Constituency in the Yobe State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanda Karabade, lauded the Commission for the intervention.
They urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items and warned against selling the relief materials, assuring that appropriate monitoring mechanisms had been put in place.
Earlier, the NEDC delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Bade, His Royal Highness Alhaji Abubakar Umar-Suleiman, to brief the traditional ruler on the humanitarian intervention and seek his continued support for the successful distribution exercise.
The distribution forms part of the NEDC’s ongoing commitment to providing humanitarian assistance, supporting disaster recovery efforts and improving the welfare of communities affected by emergencies across the North-East region.
