National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (TSEMA), has expanded the distribution of humanitarian relief materials donated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) to vulnerable households across Taraba State.
The exercise, which was flagged off in Jalingo, targets victims of floods, fire disasters, windstorms and other vulnerable communities, with distributions already completed in Zing, Ardo-Kola, Gassol, Lau, Takum, Wukari, Sardauna and Kurmi Local Government Areas.
During the flag-off, the executive secretary of TSEMA, Dr Echuseh Audu, expressed appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the KSRelief for the humanitarian intervention in the state.
Audu described the gesture as timely support for communities affected by disasters and economic hardship.
She also commended Governor Agbu Kefas for prioritising the welfare of vulnerable residents and was optimistic that, the distribution was conducted with transparency, accountability and fairness.
She further added that the relief materials reach the intended beneficiaries across the benefiting local government areas.
According to TSEMA, distribution teams have worked alongside local government authorities, traditional rulers, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and community leaders to ensure that relief materials are delivered through jointly monitored, transparent processes.
Dr Audu said the exercise underscored humanitarian agencies’ commitment to ensuring that no vulnerable community is excluded from relief efforts, despite difficult terrain.
The TSEMA Boss said the humanitarian programme forms part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing support to vulnerable communities through KSRelief, and noted that the distribution would continue in other designated local government areas across the state.
The Director-General of NEMA, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, who was represented by the agency’s Deputy Director of Special Duties, Mrs Ojo Bolanle, reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to working closely with TSEMA and other stakeholders to ensure a seamless, dignified distribution process.
The Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Muhammad Ibrahim Ala’amin, who represented Governor Kefas at the event, officially flagged off the exercise.
He described the donation as a demonstration of international solidarity and compassion for vulnerable populations in the state.
He said the state government has provided the necessary oversight to ensure a credible distribution process for beneficiaries.
Hon. Ala’amin expressed the state government’s gratitude to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre for the donation, saying the intervention would ease hardship and strengthen recovery efforts among affected communities.
In Takum, Wukari and Sardauna local government areas, the distribution was carried out with the support of the respective council chairpersons. At the same time, residents of Gassol and Lau local governments also received food items and other essential relief materials.
The intervention also reached the remote Bissaula community in Kurmi local government area.