Katsina State – Victims Support Fund Extends Support to 4,000 Households

The Victims Support Fund (VSF) has flagged off her VSF 2023 to 2025 Program in Katsina State, marking a significant stride in the mission to alleviate the suffering of those impacted by terrorism. Within the Livelihood and Recovery Support thematic area, VSF is extending help to 4,000 indigent households by providing essential food items such as rice, beans, groundnut oil, sugar, salt, and seasoning cubes.

Professor Nana Tanko, the Executive Director of the Victims Support Fund, during the ceremony, underscored VSF’s unwavering commitment to assisting the most vulnerable households, as identified by community leaders in the affected areas. She stated, “Through this initiative, we are extending our support to a total of 4,000 households, predominantly comprised of women and children who have tragically lost their household breadwinners due to terrorism.”

In her speech, Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi, the VSF Strategic Management Committee State Lead of Katsina State highlighted VSF’s mission to aid victims of terrorism in the Northeast, led by Lt. Gen T.Y. Danjuma (Rtd). She noted that terrorism’s impact has spread beyond the Northeast, affecting Katsina and displacing many. VSF, operational in the Northeast for over 7 years, plans to expand its work to states like Katsina, Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, and Benue in the next 3 years. Saadatu emphasized VSF’s commitment to reaching vulnerable communities, including those with disabilities.

The Deputy Governor of Katsina State, HE. Faruk Lawal, represented by Barrister Mukhtar Saulawa, the Deputy Chief of Staff, expressed his belief that this significant gesture will greatly benefit the vulnerable victims in the state. He also called upon fellow Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to emulate VSF’s example in providing much-needed relief to citizens in need.

Additionally, Binta Dangani, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), advised the beneficiaries to use the provided items judiciously, emphasizing the importance of responsible utilization of these essential supplies.

The Local Government Areas where the food distribution will occur are:

• Jibiya (1,400 households)

• Batsari (1,000 households)

• Faskari (1,300 households)

• Funtua Host Community (300 households).

The Victims Support Fund continues to diligently work towards providing relief to victims of insurgency and armed conflict in Nigeria, particularly in the key areas of Peace building and Citizenship Support, Livelihood and Recovery Support, Protection and Psychosocial Support, and Education Support.