By Jessica John Bakari & Naanlep Dabee
The Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza, has distributed emergency food items to 60 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugee returnee families at the Fombina IDPs Camp in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The event was supported by the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood, FMDM Ladywell, Great Britain, and coordinated by the Diocese’s Justice, Development and Peace/Caritas (JDPC) team.
A female beneficiary smiles as Bishop Mamza hands her relief materials.
Bishop Mamza said the intervention was to cushion the hardship faced by families who fled Borno State and returned from Cameroon, describing their living conditions as “dire, with food shortages, weak shelters, and little government support.”
Speaking during the distribution, he said the aid was aimed at alleviating the severe hardship faced by displaced persons currently taking refuge at the camp.
He noted that many of the families live in fragile grass shelters with limited protection from the weather, and are facing extreme food shortages with minimal government or humanitarian support. “Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are at greater risk of malnutrition and illness.”
The food supplies were donated with support from the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood, FMDM, Ladywell, Great Britain, and were coordinated by the Diocese’s Justice, Development and Peace/Caritas (JDPC) team.
The Bishop called for “urgent and sustained intervention from government, NGOs, and well-meaning individuals in areas of food, shelter, healthcare, and livelihood support.”
While appreciating FMDM for their generosity, Bishop Mamza urged interventions in “food supply, shelter rehabilitation with durable materials, medical outreach, and livelihood support to restore dignity and resilience among displaced families.”
He reaffirmed the Diocese’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid, education, and psychosocial support to vulnerable communities across Adamawa State.”
A male beneficiary receives relief materials from Bishop Mamza.
The Bishop disclosed that each of the 60 households received one bag of maize, 25kg of rice, 25kg of beans, five packs of Maggi cubes, and detergents to help ease the hardship faced by the displaced persons.
Bishop Mamza also urged the IDPs, especially those who are eligible, to obtain their Permanent Voter’s Cards ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Your PVC is the only gateway for you to vote for candidates of your choice,” he said.
Bishop Mamza unpacking the relief materials.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Yusuf Ishaku from Gwoza thanked Bishop Mamza and the Franciscan Sisters for the intervention.
He noted that many of them had gone without food since the previous day, describing the donation as “a God-answered prayer.”
