By Sani Idris Abdulrahman 

The Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (Northern CAN) has distributed food items to no fewer than 1,000 vulnerable households  as part of its Christmas humanitarian intervention across communities affected by violence in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the relief items included rice, beans, maize, garri, groundnut oil, palm oil, sugar, salt, suger and seasoning, among others 

They were aimed at easing hardship among victims of violence, widows, orphans and persons with disabilities.

NAN reports that each household got a 25kg rice, beans, garri and maize, among other items.

At the distribution on Wednesday in Maraban Rido, Kaduna, Chairman of Northern CAN and the Federal Capital Territory, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said the intervention was supported by Barnabas Aid.

Hayab said it is targeted at vulnerable persons, including displaced families and people living with disabilities.

He said the association deliberately selected 1,000 households from two communities, noting that the gesture was meant to bring happiness, relieve pain and reassure beneficiaries that they were not forgotten during the Christmas season.

He explained that the initiative combined spiritual, physical, emotional, social and educational care, stressing that hunger could undermine peace, dignity and the ability of people to respond positively to calls against violence.

According to him, prayers were offered before the distribution to show solidarity with beneficiaries and to let them know that someone cared about their welfare and well-being.

Hayab said the humanitarian exercise was not limited to Kaduna State, adding that similar interventions would take place in Borno, Plateau and Benue states, as well as other violence-affected communities in the North.

He disclosed that the current intervention was part of a broader plan to support about 5,000 households across Northern Nigeria, benefiting tens of thousands of people directly and indirectly.

Hayab said that the relief materials cannot in any way compensate the pains that they have suffered but just an efforts to show their solidarity, urging the beneficiaries not to sell the items. 

Vice Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Jonah Samson, said the outreach aligned with biblical injunctions and the example of Jesus Christ, who fed multitudes during His earthly ministry.

Samson identified three main beneficiary groups as victims of persecution and displacement, widows and orphans, and persons living with disabilities, noting that assistance was being carried out in batches.

He said although the support might not solve all challenges, it would bring relief, encouragement and succour at a time of severe economic hardship and rising cost of living.

Samson added that the gesture cut across denominations and communities, urging beneficiaries to extend love and support to others, while appreciating Barnabas Aid for supporting the humanitarian initiative.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Village Head of Maraban Rido, Kudansa, Mr Auta Alkali, thanked the Northern CAN and its partners for the timely intervention.

Alkali described the relief as a source of hope and encouragement during the Christmas season.

He said the food items would ease their hardship, reduce hunger in their homes and remind them that they were not forgotten despite the challenges they faced.