By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Victims Support Fund (VSF) is to spend one billion naira to cushion effects of novel Covid-19 on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable groups around the country.
Chairman, VSF, Lt.-Gen. T. Y. Danjuma (Rtd.) disclosed this when he inaugurated the VSF Task Force on COVID-19.
The coronavirus COVID-19 is affecting 202 countries and territories around the world with almost a million people infected and more than 40,000 deaths recorded.
The 6 member Task Force is mandated to provide palliative measures to Internally Displaced Persons and other vulnerable groups around the country, as part of its contribution to national efforts to fight COVID-19.
Inaugurating the committee, Gen. Danjuma said that the intervention had become necessary in view of the global devastation of the Corona Virus pandemic and the huge human challenges it poses for the country.
He said all Nigerians must come together to ensure that the spread is curtailed.
He also urged the committee to embark on massive sensitization campaigns amongst vulnerable groups to inform and educate them on the best hygiene and sanitation practices in order to prevent the further spread of the disease.
The mandate of the Taskforce is to provide one billion naira worth of medical supplies, food, water and non-food items for IDPs and others who will face special challenges at this difficult time.
They shall also work closely with all Federal and State government organs and agencies tasked with the responsibility for providing direction and leadership in the fight against COVID-19, including the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and all relevant MDAs.
The Task Force will also extend support to other frontline organizations working to curtail the spread of the novel Corona Virus.
The Chairperson of the committee is Mrs Toyosi-Akerele Ogunsuji with Dr Bulama Mali Gubio, Amb John Gana, Mr Sunday Oibe and Mr Alkasim Abdulkadir as members.
The Executive Director, VSF, Prof. Sunday Ochoche is also a member of the committee.
