AFRICA/NIGERIA - The Bishops of Nigeria and Cameroon together in assisting refugees fleeing Boko Haram

Wednesday, 4 March 2015

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - The Episcopal Conferences of Nigeria and Cameroon work together to provide assistance to thousands of Nigerians who fled to Cameroon fleeing the violence of Boko Haram. This was revealed by His Exc. Mgr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, Archbishop of Jos and President of the Episcopal Conference of Nigeria, during the press conference held at the end of the Plenary Assembly of the Bishops of Nigeria, news of which was sent to Agenzia Fides.
Mgr. Kaigama added that the Federal Government of Nigeria has joined the efforts of the Catholic Church in assisting Nigerian refugees in Cameroon. In particular, the authorities in Abuja have donated 50 million Naira to the Nigerian Bishops' Conference, which will be used along with the Cameroonian counterpart to assist Nigerians welcomed in some refugee camps scattered throughout the Country. On its behalf, the body of the Nigerian Bishops has collected another 10 million Naira, bringing the total aid for refugees to 60 million (EUR 267 926).
Mgr. Kaigama added that on 3 May a delegation of Nigerian Bishops will travel to Cameroon to assess the needs of refugees. The Bishop of Maiduguri, His Exc. Mgr. Oliver Dashe Doeme, and the President of Caritas Nigeria, His Exc. Mgr. Lucius Ugorji, Bishop of Umuahia will be part of the delegation. Mgr. Kaigama expressed the hope that also government representatives will join the delegation and has invited the faithful not to forget the suffering of the displaced and refugees fleeing the violence of Islamist sect. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 04/03/2015)


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