ADRA Continues to Support Victims of Boko Haram Insurgency
LAGOS, NIGERIA—One year ago, Boko Haram’s abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria captured the attention of the world and provoked the #BringBackOurGirls viral campaign.
On Monday April 13, UNICEF announced that Boko Haram has to date rendered a total of 800,000 children and their families homeless in Northern Nigeria.
“ADRA is on the frontlines of this crisis,” said Marie-Jo Guth, ADRA’s Program Manager for Emergencies. “Our colleagues at ADRA Nigeria are doing an amazing job by bringing life-saving food to families that have suffered the most brutal abuses from Boko Haram.”
ADRA is distributing food to about 1,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs), providing psychosocial support to 100 displaced children, has provided assistance to help mitigate diarrhea disease among 200 children under the age of five, and has given prenatal mentoring to 30 pregnant women in Kwana Waya Camp.
Boko Haram has completely destroyed entire villages, causing millions to flee their homes in search of safety. The National Emergency Management Agency reported in March that there are 1.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria. The attacks have also prompted 203,000 Nigerians and stranded migrants to escape to neighboring countries. In Adamawa State Nigeria, where ADRA is working, there are nearly 218,000 IDPs.
Our current work in Adamawa state has been difficult due to limited road access. ADRA staff has gone to great lengths, transporting themselves and materials by air and purchasing vehicles locally.
“Our team are deploying incredible efforts and demonstrating a great sense of dedication for their humanitarian mission,” said Guth.
About ADRA
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International is the humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. For more information, visit ADRA.org.
