(PerkyNews) Damaturu - The Yobe State Emergency
Management Agency (SEMA) in partnership with
UNICEF will set up tent classes for children in
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) camp.
The SEMA Director of Planning, Relief and
Disaster General, Alhaji Bulau Geidam, made the
disclosure in an interview in Damaturu on Sunday.
Geidam, who is also the Administrator of IDPs
camp, said that the measure was part of effort of
the state government to ensure that children in
the camp acquire basic education.
He said the agency was targeting to enrol 2,600
children in the IDPs camp for the programme,
adding that more facilities would be created to
accommodate additional children.
"Already, some non-governmental organisations
have provided playing facilities for the children in
the camp, which has help to keep them busy.
"As part of its responsibility, the State Universal
Basic Education Board (UBEB) has also provided
instruction materials for the children in order to
facilitate their learning," Geidam said.
Geidam also said all children in the camp had
been immunised against polio, measles and other
diseases during the just concluded African
Vaccination Week.
The director said that the Yobe Agency for Mass
Literacy had commerce skills acquisition training
workshop for women in the camp in order to
empower them to be self-reliant.
According to him, the agency in collaboration with
the Ministry of Women Affairs is targeting to train
1000 women on sowing and weaving to enable
them cater for themselves.
"Some women lost their husband during the Boko
Haram attacked which rendered them homeless
that is why we want to empower them so that
they can take care of their children."
Also, Habiba Makinta, one of the IDPs from
Ambiyan Tasha community in Gujba Local
Government, expressed appreciation to the state
government for providing them with
accommodation, foods and shelter.
"We have been in this camp for the pass 40 days,
government is providing three square meal for us
on daily basis, taken care of our children, health
and providing security for us," Makinta told media
personnel.
Makinta, however, appealed to Governor Ibrahim
Gaidam to help them secure accommodation to
enable them resume normal life, instead of
staying in IDPs camp.
"Raining season and fasting period is fast
approaching and living condition at the camp may
not be comfortable for us during these period that
is why we needs decent accommodation."
There were over 3,291 people from seven
communities in Gujba Local Government living
inside Pampamari IDPs camp in Damaturu.
There was said to be one mobile clinic, one
standby ambulance and water tank as well as 13
toilet facilities inside the camp, while six toilet
facilities were under construction.