IDPs: NGO trains 100 women, disburses free interest loans

An NGO, Civitas Auxillium Foundation (CAF), says 100 women from Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp are currently being trained on various skills.

The training which is taking place in Wassa in Abuja, FCT would enable the women to reintegrate back into the society CAF said.

Mrs Elizabeth Duile, Chief Operations Officer, CAF, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, that the effort was part of its CAF- Women Empowerment Programme (CAF-WEP) to support women to be independent.

Duile explained that with the challenges affecting women in IDPs camps, the organisation was committed to issues of eradicating poverty and violence, especially as it affected women and children.

According to her, the beneficiaries will also be given an interest free loan to enable them start-up their business, generate income and hasten their reintegration back to the society.

“Another set of 100 are currently undergoing vocational training in poultry production, catering and soap making.

“After which they will get access to financing to enable them start up their small businesses.

“The goal of CAF WEP is to de-populate IDPs camps so that women and children can live a more dignified life with means of livelihood, especially those living in makeshift tents,” she said.

According to her, the selection of the camp was due to its poor visibility and support from philanthropists.

“Wassa IDPs camp, Abuja, FCT is home to over 5000 persons who have been displaced from the North East and other parts of Nigeria as a result of conflicts.

“We urge the government to continue to strategise towards bringing an end to conflicts, which mostly affects women and children,” she said.

She explained further that the organisation was committed towards ensuring that children in the IDPs camps have access to quality education and school materials.

Duile emphasised the need to ensure children gained access to education, as it would enable their potentials to be harnessed, as well as addressed security challenges bedeviling the nation.

She, therefore, urged well-meaning Nigerians to support government efforts towards riding societal ills, developing the nation and contributing meaningfully towards peace and security.

“First of all a displaced person as a result of conflict is a humanitarian disaster, it takes its toll on public health, and millions of children are out of school.

“There is a food crisis as a result of the insecurity which in turn makes the investment climate in Nigeria uncertain.

“Not ending the conflicts enables the non-state actors to annex more communities and making terrorism network in Nigeria and the Lake Chad fester

“So, we need decisive action and sincerity of purpose in the fight against insurgency, “she added.

She also explained that the beneficiaries would undergo two to six weeks training, depending on the skills, which include: poultry farming, catering and tailoring.

The CEO also added that the organisation had so far trained over 250 women in Durumi and Wassa camps.