Following the successful completion of the Monthly Feed the Poor Program in the Food Kitchen, Dr. Princewill Chibuikem Orianwo, the Foundation’s Representative for the Rivers State Chapter, expressed his overwhelming gratitude for the program’s tremendous success in feeding over 250 families.

However, new revelations have also brought to light the dire situation faced by the displaced people, which has equally overwhelmed the Foundation.

As a result, the Foundation will now focus on the next phase of providing aid and assistance to the displaced residents of Illabuchi Diobu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Approximately 40,000 residents of Diobu, a densely populated area of Port Harcourt, found themselves homeless due to the demolition of waterfronts by the Rivers State Government. The affected waterfronts include Elechi I, Elechi II, Nanka, Abba, Urualla, Egede, and Soku, all located off Iloabuchi Street in the Diobu area.

In his New Year message, Governor Nyesom Wike had sent a demolition notice to the residents of Illabuchi, stating that shanties and makeshift structures identified as crime hotspots would be demolished from the second week of January 2022.

However, most of the displaced residents, whom the International Family Foundation (IFF) team interviewed, explained that the 7-day ultimatum was insufficient for them to make alternative arrangements to vacate the area. These residents, who predominantly have low incomes and live hand-to-mouth, resorted to living in shanties due to their financial constraints. Unfortunately, their properties and sources of income were destroyed and lost due to adverse weather conditions.

The affected residents expressed their distress, stating that the exercise demonstrated a lack of proper planning, insensitivity on the government’s part, and a disconnect from the people.

Dr. Princewill Chibuikem Orianwo, the State Representative of the IFF in Rivers State, expressed deep concern for the pitiful living conditions and dire circumstances faced by the displaced people. As a medical practitioner, he emphasized the need for proper medical attention to prevent issues such as malnutrition, cholera, dysentery, malaria, and typhoid.

Mr. Daminabo Erekosima passionately appealed to individuals and organizations of goodwill to support the Foundation in providing relief to the affected families. He also called upon the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and other agencies to treat this as an emergency and include these people on their displaced persons list.

The displaced persons of Illabuchi Diobu urgently require mattresses, building materials, food and clothing items, and drugs to alleviate their suffering.

The Foundation encourages support and volunteers for their Monthly Feed the Poor Program.