Coordinator Raises the Alarm as Hunger, Starvation Loom in Edo IDP Camp 

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city

There are strong indications that inmates of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Edo State may face starvation as the camp is challenged by acute food scarcity among the over 4,000 persons who are taking shelter there.

It was learnt that basic food items such rice, beans, garri, yam and other grains are running out of supply occasioned by the worsening food crisis situation in the country.

This development has informed the appeal by the operators of the camp to call on the National  Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Ministry of Humanitarian Affair, non-governmental organisations, the Nigeria Custom Services, and faith-based groups to come to the rescue of the camp.

The once lively camp bustling with activities is now a shadow of itself as the management and the founder makes frantic efforts in anticipation of where the next meal to feed the thousands of hungry IDPs will come from.  

The Founder, International Christian Centre Home of the Needy, Uhogua in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, where the IDP camp is situated, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, said the camp is in desperate need of food items, school fees for students and other consumables.

Folorunsho, in tears, said: “We have been fasting for days now due to food shortages. Last week, we just did our three days of fasting and this week I don’t just want to push the students anymore. It was quite difficult as there was no food, we all came together and turned the fasting to prayers. With the fasting we did last week was Thursday, Friday and Saturday, they believe that God will change the situation.

“I must say that this is one of the most difficult periods for us in terms of meeting the food needs of the IDP’s. I could barely sleep every night hearing the cry of the children because of hunger. We need urgent help.”

He added: “I’m appealing to NEMA. SEMA Nigeria Custom Services, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and others to come to our aid.”

One of the inmates, Andrew Joseph, also joined the coordinator of the camp to appeal to spirited members of the public, government and others to come to the aid of the camp.