Alliance distributes clean cook stoves to displaced persons

The stoves were donated to the Alliance by the FCMB as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The action, which was seen as a timely gesture, was another demonstration of both organisations’ commitment to alleviate the living conditions of the IDPs who have become vulnerable and have little access to basic necessities of life, such as cooking items having been victims of the security challenges facing some parts of the country.
The hand-over ceremony was witnessed by top officials of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) and other organisations working with local communities.
Clean cookstoves, in addition to efficient and economic cooking, would also address the risks associated with the collection, supply and use of firewood and charcoal in an emergency situation.
The Executive Director of the International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development (ICEED) and the Coordinator of the NACC, Mr. Ewah Otu Eleri, noted that, “the initiative marks the start of an innovative partnership that focuses on the pressing needs of some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable people.
“Working with FCMB, the alliance is committed to ensuring that the cooking needs of vulnerable IDPs populations are met and that these families have a better chance to lead productive, healthy lives while waiting for peace and security to return to their homesteads,” he also said.
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), there are over 740,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) including people fleeing from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
The Abuja IDP is camping nearly 8000 persons being victims of insurgency.
The NACC has built a public-private partnership to introduce 10 million clean cookstoves to Nigerian homes and institutions by 2020.
Speaking on behalf of FCMB, Mr Akinwumi Kolapo, the bank’s vice president said that as an “institution committed to the ongoing campaign and other efforts towards environmental sustainability and well-being of humanity, we are pleased to support the IDPs under our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.”
He said that the bank would continue to support three critical areas of poverty alleviation, economic empowerment and environmental sustainability so that we can together build a sustainable business and society.
“The stoves we donated (known as Save80 Stoves and the Briquettes made from combustible waste) was developed to reduce the demand for firewood through the felling of trees. The stoves, which are economical and convenient to use, are meant to ensure a behaviour change through sensitisation, advocacy and training on sustainable alternatives to the use of firewood for cooking and related activities,” he said.