JOS — The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, have overseen the disbursement of N1.5 billion in humanitarian assistance to 1,579 victims of violent attacks in five local government areas of the state.
The intervention comprises N1 billion donated by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu through her Renewed Hope Initiative and N500 million contributed by the Plateau State Government.
Beneficiaries were drawn from Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Bassa Local Government Areas.
Speaking at the disbursement ceremony, Yilwatda, who recalled being displaced during previous attacks in the state, said he understood the pain suffered by victims.
“I have been a victim of attacks, I know how it feels. I lost friends, neighbours and relations in a crisis. So I know how it feels, and when I look into your faces, I can see your pains,” he said.
Yilwatda commended the First Lady for responding to the plight of victims, saying the financial assistance could not replace lives lost but could help affected families rebuild their livelihoods.
“I know that no amount of money, no amount of cheque can bring back your life. No amount of money can bring back that integrity that you lost,” he said.
He urged beneficiaries to invest the funds in rebuilding their livelihoods through farming, petty businesses and other income-generating activities.
“ The little you have, you can invest it and build new lives. You can do grocery, farming. We can do businesses,” he said.
Also speaking, Mutfwang described the intervention as an expression of solidarity with families affected by the attacks.
“Families lost their loved ones. Many houses were destroyed. People were forced to leave places they called home.
“To everyone affected, we see you, we acknowledge you, we stand with you and we will never forget you,” the governor said.
Mutfwang said the combined N1.5 billion assistance could provide immediate relief but could not replace lives lost or erase the trauma suffered by victims.
“No amount of money can bring back a father, or a mother, or a child, or a brother, or a sister.
“No financial support can erase the trauma of seeing one’s family destroyed, or the children of one’s community affected,” he said.
The governor said the funds would help affected families begin rebuilding their lives and pledged that his administration would ensure the intervention reached those genuinely affected.
He also promised to continue working towards creating conditions for internally displaced persons to safely return to their ancestral homes.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Kachollom Pyam Gang, said the intervention was designed to support families and communities affected by attacks in the five local government areas.
Gang said the state government had previously established an inter-ministerial committee to identify victims of displacement in order to ensure transparency and fairness.
She commended the First Lady for the N1 billion donation through the Renewed Hope Initiative and Mutfwang for contributing an additional N500 million.
According to her, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs would work with affected local governments, security agencies and community leaders to ensure a transparent distribution process.
She urged beneficiaries to use the funds to rebuild homes, return to farming and restart businesses.
Gang also disclosed that part of the intervention would be used for community-owned projects in affected communities, with the projects to be identified by the communities themselves.
She called on residents to embrace peace, tolerance and unity, while protecting vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.
“As the First Lady passionately pleaded during her visit, let this also be a turning point for peace,” she said.
