The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called on the government and other authorities to ensure safe corridors for humanitarian services to be extended to conflict-ravaged communities in Adamawa.
Francisca Piccin, head of the sub-delegation of the ICRC, made the call during a visit by a delegation of the ICRC to Madagali, one of the most conflict-affected communities in Northern Adamawa.
Ms Piccin noted with concern that the humanitarian consequences of the conflict were coming back to Madagali due to its border with Southern Borno.
She said they were in the area to engage the locals on better ways to improve healthcare and nutrition in some communities in Mubi.
“In Madagali since 2014, the non-state armed groups have taken over this town, destroying almost everything. It has been very challenging for all the communities around here, though we reopened access to the Madagali health facility in April 2024,” she said.
According to her, ICRC has been working with the communities and trying to support the civilians, especially women and children, to access basic services, health and food.
She said the group constructed a water tower with the water tanks and renovated the centre, adding that they were also supporting the construction of a primary healthcare centre in Madagali.
According to her, another project established was “Tom Brown”, where women, especially nursing mothers, are being trained to cook nutritional valued food supplements.
“The community leaders facilitated the process of acquiring the land where we will construct the centre, and the construction will start soon, hopefully, it will be finished by the end of this year,” Ms Piccin said.
Also, Musa Adhas, the chairman, Ward Development Committee, Madagali, said the Red Cross had done a lot for the community, especially in health.
According to him, the volunteers were paid N5,000, but the Red Cross increased their stipends, which improved their activities.
Mr Adhas thanked the Red Cross for bringing life to the community and called on the government to come to their aid as the conflict had affected their families and businesses.
Meanwhile, women were seen learning how to prepare Tom Brown and some were accessing treatments at the centre.
(NAN)
