ICRC assists over 50,000 IDP farmers with 2mmt of Seeds

The International Committee of The Red Cross, ICRC, has disclosed of assisting vulnerable farmers amongst Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, with 2 million metric tonnes of seeds and other inputs in over six States.

This was made known by an agronomist at ICRC, Henry Shalma, during One-day ICRC Media Workshop for Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria, ACAN, held in Abuja.

Shalma explained how ICRC’s intervention has transformed lives of vulnerable farmers who have been hit by conflicts across the country.

Also according to ICRC Nigeria operational facts and figures from January-December 2021, ICRC vaccinated and treated 559, 833 heads of livestock including sheep, goats and cattle, which the veterinary hospital in Maiduguri, Borno State, and that has contributed to improvement in animal health services for 102, 468 livestock keepers.
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It also made it known that 126 community animal health workers profited from animal healthcare services and disease detection training, while 1,674 community volunteers received training on best infant-feeding practices and identifying signs of malnutrition. 212 farmers benefited from training in improved agricultural techniques.

Then 174, 304 people provided with food assistance, and in the areas with functioning markets , 288, 048 people received cash assistance to purchase food and other essential items.

According to the report, 383, 164 farmers provided with seeds including vegetable seeds, staple seeds, and cash crop seeds including agricultural tools- rakes and hoes. 47, 718 farmers received cash to purchase additional inputs not provided by ICRC.

While 197, 000 people received soap to improve hygiene and reduce COVID-19 risks and 150, 000 people provided with aqua-tabs (water treatment tablets) and were sensitized during emergency cholera response. Also, 579, 000 people provided with access to clean water, sanitation and shelter through the rehabilitation and construction of 12 solar water supply systems, 44 hand pumps, and 385 latrines. 163,000 IDPs, host community members and returnees had improved access to water.

Source: Vanguard