NACAT Donates Sewing Machine, Bags of Rice, Other Food Items To IDPs in Abuja

As part of its commitment to nation-building and humanitarian works, the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT) on Monday donated various food items including bags of rice, cartons of spaghetti, sanitary pads, and a sewing machine to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Durumi Camp in the Garki area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The organization, a notable civil society group dedicated to combating corruption, financial crimes, terrorism, economic sabotage, human trafficking, and drug-related offenses, extended this gesture as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The organization further conducted a sensitization session on human trafficking, educating the women on its dangers and equipping them with strategies to protect themselves and their children from becoming victims.

Speaking on behalf of NACAT, the Operational Manager, Stanley Ugagbe, emphasized that the initiative was purely humanitarian and not politically motivated. He reassured the IDPs that NACAT’s intervention was driven by a genuine desire to support their well-being, particularly during the fasting period when food resources might be scarce.

“NACAT is an NGO and our coming here today has no political undertone. We truly empathize with you over your current conditions and it is because of our concerns over your plight that we have come to donate our widow’s mite. We recognize that this is a fasting period, and it is important that people have access to food while they fast,” Ugagbe stated.

“Your current situation is actually troubling and we pray that soonest, things will get better and you will return to your homes to live your normal lives like you used to live”.

He also took time to educate the women on the increasing trend of human trafficking and shared practical tips on how they could protect themselves and their loved ones from falling prey to traffickers.

Ugagbe defined human trafficking as the illegal trade of people for forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of abuse. According to him, common tricks used by traffickers are promises of good jobs or scholarships abroad, fake modeling or entertainment offers, forced marriages, fake recruitment agencies, and kidnapping.

While asking them to watch out for these tricks, the manager averred that the dangers of human trafficking include “physical and emotional abuse, forced labor and inhumane working conditions, sexual exploitation and exposure to diseases, separation from family and community, loss of personal freedom”.

Harping on how to protect themselves against traffickers, Ugagbe enumerated the following measures: “be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true, verify job and travel opportunities before accepting them, avoid traveling alone with strangers, report suspicious activities to security agencies or NGOs working against human trafficking, educate others on the dangers of trafficking”

In her opening remarks, NACAT’s Program Manager, Joy Tomo, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting displaced persons and promoting self-reliance among them. She highlighted the importance of skill acquisition in reducing dependency and improving economic stability.

“We believe that empowering women with skills is key to helping them rebuild their lives. That is why we are donating this sewing machine. We encourage you to use it as a tool for learning and empowerment,” Tomo said.

She further instructed that the machine should be handed over to an experienced seamstress within the camp who would train other women, ensuring that the knowledge is passed on and used effectively.

Expressing deep appreciation for NACAT’s intervention, the camp women’s leader, Liyatu Ayuba Yusuf, described the visit as a life-changing moment for many of them.

“Our joy knows no bounds today. We are grateful to NACAT for remembering us in this difficult time. Many of us had never received this kind of education on human trafficking before, and now we understand how to protect ourselves and our children,” she said.

Liyatu noted that the sensitization program had opened their eyes to the reality of human trafficking, a menace that disproportionately affects vulnerable communities. She pledged that the women in the camp would make good use of the knowledge gained and ensure that others who missed the session also learn from them.

Also speaking at the event, the Camp Coordinator, Idris Ibrahim-Halilu, who provided Hausa translations throughout the engagement, praised NACAT for its exceptional commitment to humanitarian work. He called on other organizations to follow NACAT’s example and extend their support to displaced persons.

“I appeal to other NGOs to learn from what NACAT is doing. The impact of their visit today has been enormous. We need more organizations like this to come to our aid,” Ibrahim-Halilu said.

Recall that in October last year, NACAT renovated and transformed an orphanage school in Lugbe into a modern school.