COVID-19 lockdown: NGO advocates frameworks to provide for needy
Needy
By Oluwakemi Oladipo
Lagos, April 15, 2020 (NAN)Project Ark Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has called for mass collaboration to cater for the needs of the poor and vulnerable in communities during the current lockdown.
Mrs Imo Oyewole, a Member of the Board of Trustees of the NGO, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
NAN reports that Project Ark Initiative was developed as a technology-enabled solution for getting food to those who need it during the COVID-19 period and beyond.
According to her, such collaborative efforts between governments and other stakeholders will be a step in the right direction, in ensuring citizens play their parts in achieving the desired outcome.
”We want to appeal to governments at all levels to collaborate with private organisations and individuals to develop frameworks and systems that would allow for the effective catering to needs of the poor and vulnerable in communities during this lockdown.
”Our vision is to build a platform that connects people who are in need so that no one goes hungry and also identify 65 per cent of Lagosians who live in slum settlements and are daily wage earners.
“We must however commend the efforts of the Federal and Lagos State Governments, in combating the spread of the COVID-19 within our borders.
“The shutdown has revealed that some areas in our society needs urgent interventions because the peoples’ needs within the communities and state are enormous.
“We had to put together this initiative in response to the initial shutdown announced by the Lagos State government, to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 and provide for the needy,” she said.
Oyewole also said that the initiative was designed to enhance collaboration among the different parties currently working with the Lagos State Government.
“We are currently supported with cash, food items and relief materials, by the Lagos State Government, Nestle Nigeria PLC, NGOs, bank, media organisations, private organisations and individuals living within and outside the countries
“After the donation, we will involve a systematic process for collection, repackaging and distribution of food items, to those in need within communities across Lagos State.
“But each community will take ownership of the implementation of the solution and we provide support through data collection, volunteer recruitment and deployment within communities to distribute the food items,” she said.
She further explained that they had fed over 3,000 families within Lagos State by providing them with food bags such as rice, beans, garri, tomato paste and oil.
According to her, they were also provided with handwashing soap, to sensitise them about the hygiene guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Also speaking, Mrs Alero Ayida-Otobo, a member of the Board of Trustees of the NGO, emphasised the need for people to adopt and implement the culture of giving to their communities, which could help to solve different social challenges.
Ayida-Otobo said that the attitude of caring for one another, was much needed at this critical period and beyond as this would boost a collective effort toward solving various societal challenges. (NAN)
OKG/CCN/IU
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Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu and Isaac Ukpoju