By Martha Agas
Barkin Ladi (Jos) – The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in partnership with Medical Women Association (MWAN) and Association of Lady Pharmacists (ALP) on Friday donated food items and conducted medical check-up for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Plateau.
The professional bodies also donated food items, toiletries, among others to the IDPs.
The IDP camp, located at Church Of Christ In Nigeria (COCIN) Heipang, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, houses displaced persons from no less than 10 communities affected by the recent attacks in Plateau .
Speaking while presenting the items on Friday, Mrs Mary Izam, chairperson of FIDA in Plateau, said the gesture was tagged ‘Professional Intervention’ because of the partnership with different professional groups.
“We are here to reduce the stress of IDPs by donating food items, clothing and giving them professional services, such as our legal clinic.
“The doctors are here for medical check up and we are also here with members of the National Association of Social Workers for psychological and trauma counselling,” she said.
The FIDA official said the organisation was committed to protecting the rights of women and children, especially during attacks because of their peculiar vulnerabilities.
Dr Nana Emeribe, a member of MWAN, said more than 500 IDPs were checked and majority were diagnosed with respiratory infections and malaria.
“Many of the women have high blood pressure and some of the pregnant ones have unitary tract infection; majority of them also have malaria.
“We have treated them accordingly,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dentists in the team extracted tooth for 22 persons, distributed 300 toothpastes and 460 brushes to the IDPs.
Mrs Asabe Bitrus, one of the displaced persons, expressed gratitude to the professional bodies for their kind gesture, while praying for sustained peace in Plateau.
NAN reports that FIDA and its partners donated clothing, drugs and food items such as corn, rice, provisions and toiletries to the camp.
No less than 12,000 IDPs are residing in nine camps in Jos South, Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu LGAs, following the Plateau attacks, which claimed many lives.
(NAN)