The Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), on Thursday, began the distribution of relief materials to 309 Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) and people with special needs to alleviate their sufferings.

The exercise was flagged off in Kano by the State Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Saleh Jili.

He said that part of SEMA responsibility was to assist the less privileged and those that were victims of circumstances, such as flood and fire disasters.

The beneficiaries are from Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Yobe and Borno.

Some of the items distributed included 20 bags of 25kg rice, 20 bags of 50kg rice, 20 cartons of spaghetti, 80 tubers of yam, 30 bags of garri and 20 bags of maize.

Other items were 20 bags of millet, 20 bags of beans, two tricycles, eight motorcycles, sewing machines, barbing tools, generators, mattresses, blankets, grinding machine and kegs of palm oil, among others.

Jili noted that the items distributed to the beneficiaries were provided by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

He commended NIMASA for helping the IDPs and people with special needs.

He also praised the Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaji Muntari Ishaq for supporting the agency.

The executive secretary called on wealthy individuals to also assist the less privileged.

“Together we can do it to assist and alleviate the sufferings of victims of flood disasters and People Living With Disabilities (PLWD),” he said.

He urged the beneficiaries to ensure proper use of the items and not to sell them, adding that the agency would set up a committee to monitor how the items were being used.

On his part, Ishaq, commended NIMASA and SEMA for supporting the IDPs and the less privileged with the relief materials.

Ishaq, represented by the Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, Hajiya Ma’azatu Isa-Gambo, said the items would reduce hardship among the beneficiaries.

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He also urged the beneficiaries to judiciously make good use of the items.

Malam Abdullahi Muhammad, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, commended NIMASA and the agency for the donation and promised that they would use the items for what they were meant for.