Catholic Diocese Distributes Relief Materials To Conflict Victims In Lafiya Lamurde

Hanny Henry

The Catholic Diocese of Yola, through its Justice, Development, and Peace Commission (JDPC), in partnership with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), has distributed essential relief materials to sixty households affected by recent communal clashes in Lafiya Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The official flag-off ceremony of the distribution took place at St. Paul Catholic Church, Lafiya Lamurde, and was led by the Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Most Rev. Stephen Dami Mamza, alongside the JDPC Coordinator.

Speaking at the event, Bishop Mamza explained that the Church received the humanitarian support through ACN, facilitated by the JDPC. He noted that the intervention was part of efforts to bring immediate relief to displaced and affected families following the communal conflict between the Bachama and Chobo communities.

According to Bishop Mamza, the crisis led to the destruction of numerous homes and properties. In response, the Church conducted a needs assessment and identified sixty households that were severely affected and in urgent need of support.

Mamza strongly condemned the violence and urged both communities to embrace peace, emphasizing that violence only brings destruction and hardship. He appealed to the people to coexist peacefully, regardless of tribal or religious differences.

“There is no gain in war,” he said. “It is our prayer and hope that such incidents will not occur again. The relief materials provided are meant to cushion the immediate hardship these families are facing.”

Some of the beneficiaries, including Mrs. Mercy James and Mr. Daniel Asogwa, expressed their gratitude. They both recounted how the crisis left them with nothing and appreciated the Catholic Diocese of Yola and ACN for the timely support.

Items distributed during the exercise included bags of rice, maize, gari, beans, sugar, six packs of seasoning cubes, cooking oil, washing soap, and other essentials.