By Oluwatoyin Mathnuel
The African Refugees Foundation (AREF) marked World Refugee Day 2024 with Food Outreach Programme at their Corporate Headquarters in Surulere, Lagos. The event held on 20th of June brought together refugees, supporters, and dignitaries in solidarity and support of displaced persons. Afterwards, they engaged in a program that spanned seven working days, starting from June 20, 2024, and concluding on July 3, 2024, with activities in various locations across Lagos, Ogun and Oyo state.
On the inaugural day, which was flagged off by former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Sen. Gbenga Asafa, AREF reached out to Internally Displaced Persons communities in Lawanson, Idi-Araba, and Ebute-Metta, providing food assistance.
Following this, the programme expanded to Iperu-Remo, the hometown of AREF’s late founder, Chief Segun Olusola, ‘The village Headmaster’ Originator and Nigeria Ambassador to Ethiopia where several individuals were fed , benefited raw food palliatives distribution. The outreach continued with visits to Agbowa, Ikorodu, and was set to cover areas including Ikotun, Igando, and Iyana-Ipaja, among others.
The Food Outreach Programme has already visited several critical locations, including IdiAraba (Mosques), Healing Cross Church, OkoBaba Government Resettlement Centre.
Future stops include Iyana-Iba, Ikotun, Igando, IyanaIpaja, Badagry, and Ibadan, with each location chosen based on the needs of the community and the availability of resources.
To ensure the most efficient and impactful aid, AREF chose to purchase rice and condiments directly instead of outsourcing to vendors. This approach allows the foundation to maintain control over the quality and quantity of supplies, avoiding potential issues related to vendor reliability or backlash.
The initiative has been led by a rotating cast of AREF staff and volunteers, including Yeye Yetunde Kehinde- Aina, AREF head Iperu-Remo Resident , Prof kolawole Raheem (Head Agbowa , Ikorodu coordinators) ,
As the program concludes, AREF looks forward to continuing its mission of providing aid and fostering solidarity among refugees and host communities alike.
