By SHINDONG BALA
The United Nations Children’s Fund-UNICEF and the Society for Family Health-SFH are supporting the Kaduna State Government in addressing the health, hygiene and educational challenges confronting adolescent girls in Internally Displaced Persons-IDP communities across the State.
The Adolescent Health Desk Officer of the Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, Hajiya Bilkisu Tanimu-Zailani, disclosed this during an awareness campaign and distribution of relief materials to displaced adolescents at Mararraban Rido, Chikun Local Government Area, as part of activities marking the International Adolescent Health Week.
Hajiya Bilkisu explained that the intervention was aimed at educating adolescents on personal hygiene, menstrual health, mental health and other health-related issues, while providing essential items to support their welfare and education.
She said the items distributed included rice, spaghetti, sanitary pads, malaria drugs, rapid diagnostic test kits, exercise books and other materials to assist the vulnerable children.
According to her, the week-long programme also featured visits to schools, disability centres and communities to sensitise adolescents on personal care and other important health issues.
She noted that some of the adolescents encountered during the outreach had little or no previous knowledge of menstrual hygiene, mental health and gender-based violence, underscoring the need for sustained awareness campaigns.
The IDP community chairman in Chikun Local Government Area, Comrade Adam Sule, said about 4,000 displaced persons from communities in Kajuru, Kachia and other affected areas were taking refuge in Mararraban Rido.
Comrade Sule explained that the displaced persons were facing severe hardship, including food shortages, insecurity, disrupted education and psychological trauma arising from repeated attacks on their communities.
He said some displaced residents who ventured into nearby bushes in search of livelihoods had reportedly been kidnapped or killed, while others continued to face threats despite seeking refuge in the area.
The chairman appealed to the Kaduna State Government and other stakeholders to provide adequate security, food, educational scholarships and empowerment opportunities for displaced women and youths to enable them to rebuild their lives.
He also called for psychosocial support and trauma-healing services for displaced families struggling with the emotional consequences of violence and displacement.
Sule commended non-governmental organisations for providing assistance to the community, but stressed the need for more sustained interventions to address the growing needs of the displaced population.
The traditional ruler of Mararraban Rido, Mallam Auta Alkali Ganyi, expressed appreciation to the health officials and development partners for extending support to the displaced families.
Mallam Ganyi said some of the displaced persons had lived in the community for between five and seven years after fleeing their ancestral homes, adding that his palace had provided a meeting point where humanitarian organisations and other stakeholders could reach them with assistance.
He noted that many of the displaced families had lost their parents and other loved ones, leaving their children particularly vulnerable to poverty and educational disruption.
The International Adolescent Health Week provides an opportunity to promote awareness of adolescent health needs and improve access to essential health information and services.
Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
