Our palliatives not among the looted – VSF


The Victims Support Fund COVID-19 Emergency Task Force has said none of its pallaitives was among those looted by hoodlums across the country. 
The group also said all palliatives handed to states under its Phases one and two were completely distributed among those targeted.
Spokesperson of the group, Alkasim Abdulkadir made the clarifications Monday in a statement in Abuja. 


He said the task force inaugurated in April 2020, was set up as a vehicle to provide succour to vulnerable populations hit by the effects of Covid-19. 


Abdulkadir said: “The task force worked with State Governments and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to identify and distribute the palliatives to vulnerable households.


“All VSF Covid -19 Emergency Task force items are clearly branded “VICTIMS SUPPORT FUND COVID -19 EMERGENCY SUPPORT PROGRAMME”
“The task force did not collaborate with any other organisation apart from the local CSOs.
“The Task Force states categorically that none of its items still remain in any warehouse from its Phase 1 and 2 donations as they had been distributed by the State governments and CSOs.

“In the first phase of its intervention, the Task Force identified six states including the frontline states, in addition to the Federal Capital Territory. These were Lagos and Ogun States as epicentres of the pandemic in Nigeria. Others were four North East States (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and Taraba) targeting the IDPs as the most vulnerable population needing palliative measures.


“The food items were identified and procured for distribution to households across the six states and the FCT. Each household received the following: rice, 10Kg; beans, 10Kg; garri, 10Kg (Lagos and Ogun States only); maize, 10Kg (FCT and the North East only); vegetable oil, four (4) litres, and salt two (2) Kg. 
“Other items that addressed hygiene like hand washing soaps, detergents, masks, Hazmat suits, goggles, boots, were also procured and distributed. All these were packaged in one 50kg bag.
“In the second phase, the focus of the interventions was in the following States: Edo, Delta, Enugu, Ebonyi and Ekiti States. Equally, the VSF also donated Video Conferencing facilities to the NCDC and ICT equipment and technical support to the Federal Ministry of Health.”
“The next phase of the interventions which will commence soon, will focus on: Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Benue, Plateau and Niger states.
“It is worthy to note that these events were well publicised in the media and the Task Force was well received in all the States visited. VSF has set the pace in ensuring that the donations reached the beneficiaries in a timely manner,” the statement added. 

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