Letter of Inquiry Introduction.

ABOUT IDPs IN BENUE STATE

We appreciate the David and Lucille Packard for their humanity and global effort …

Queencassio Outreach for community Health and agricultural development, a humanitarian based  Non-profit Governmental  Organization, mission is dedicated to end suffering and hunger by providing food support and a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State, Nigeria West Africa.

ABOUT IDPs IN BENUE STATE

Who are They:

They are Tiv, Idoma, Igede, displaced from 21 out of the 23 LGA in Benue State.  The most affected areas in terms of LGAs are Guma, Logo, Agatu, Makurdi, Kwande, Oju, Konshisha, Ado, Okpokwu and Gwer-West.

Why are they Displaced:

The main cause of displacement is, Benue State is known as “THE FOOD BASKET OF NIGERIA”, the agricultural hub of Nigeria and produces the highest amount of food and fruits all year round in Nigeria and exports to other countries in Africa, US and UK. The  Fulani herdsmen attacks the farmers, displace them and takeover their farm lands so their cattles would graze.  Since January 2018 the herders have been attacking the farmers in the rural areas. And the government efforts to stop this attacks have not yielded positive results.

Their Immediate Challenges:

Food and Non-food items

Shelter

Water

Hygiene Kits

Agriculture

Education

Livelihood

To further elaborate:

Potable water: There are some boreholes dug in some camps.  Water is also trucked to some locations where there are no boreholes. But it is insufficient in some locations. Some boreholes are broken down and need repairs. A watershed intervention project will be a huge turning point.

Flooding:  Flooding affects most of their temporary shelters . There is also occasionally flash flooding at some camps.

Hunger: There is highly insufficient food.  The state government’s monthly food distribution scheme is insufficient to feed the over 1.5 million IDPs. Also the occasional support from NEMA ( National Emergency Management Agency) and the National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI). The ICRC also support in food distribution from time to time. Yet these efforts have not been able to address the food challenge due to the large population.

We are seeking support from the foundation to help us resolve these issues by building our organizational capacity to manage water that could be used for drinking and agriculture. 

Our main goal is to strengthen the organization’s infrastructure so that it can strengthen its  impact and contribute to the healthy development of the affected community(s) by addressing the flooding and lack of food by establishing a watershed in the river valley near the camp. 

We have been involved in humanitarian activities using personal funds from 2015 till date. During this period, we have been able to provide  ,

* Hospital Equipments

* Food Interventions/   items

* Fed 21 thousand Homeless people including widows and orphans

* Ongoing Drilled Water Wells

* Acquired 134.51 hectares (1,448 plots) of land to build:

  1. a) 5000 housing units as shelter for the homeless
  2. b) Build Health Care Center
  3. c) School
  4. d) Shopping Mall
  5. e) Agric Farm
  6. f) Market
  7. g) Two juice Processing Factories
  8. h) Hotel
  9. I) Prayer Center

The 134.51 hectares (1,448 plots) of land has been surveyed with a survey plan and layout plan. Grading of the land has begun. And the geophysical survey of the Water Wells has be done.

The host community has also been duely appreciated.

The total cost spent to accomplish all these so far amounts to $8,500,000 from personal funding. The pictures are attached for your confirmation.

We wish to solicit your financial support by applying for the grant of $60,000,000 from your highly esteemed organization considering the fact that we share similar vision and goal. 

We also look forward to to partnering with you to further provide support program for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), to further ensure they experience an adequate access to basic amenities, safety, sensitization and human rights counseling.

More specifically, issues that must be addressed urgently includes but not limited,

  1. Construction of Shelter, to house the homeless
  2. Drilling Water Wells (Boreholes)
  3. Food Interventions
  4. Agriculture
  5. Provision for Skill Acquisition and Youth Employment Scheme

The humanitarian relief grant is to complete our efforts to alleviate the suffering vulnerable Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected population of about 1.5 million in Benue State, and over 10 million all over Nigeria, West Africa. The humanitarian relief grant will target vulnerable widows, orphans, elderly and youth employment, who do not have access to shelter, good water as a result of their inability to access farms, and with the primary objective of saving lives. 

We wish to build a strong partnership and working relationship with your organization which we are convinced will be of immense mutual benefits.

While we anticipate your positive prompt expeditious  response in this regard, we guarantee transparency, accountability and faithful utilization of the grant. Kindly accept our highest esteem regards. Respectfully,

Yours faithfully,

For: QUEENCASSIO OUTREACH FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

…………………………

Lady Queen Elizabeth Ejindu – 

Chairperson/CEO

……………………………….

Bishop Collins Tyo – 

Executive Director