The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has donated water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) materials and dignity kits to the Kwara State Government to support residents of Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area following the recent deadly attack on the town.
The humanitarian items were formally handed over to the state government on Saturday at the office of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency in Ilorin as part of efforts to provide immediate relief to survivors.
Woro community was attacked on February 3 when terrorists riding motorcycles reportedly stormed the area around 6pm, shooting sporadically and setting several houses ablaze. The assault left at least 160 residents dead, while more than 160 others were abducted.
Speaking during the presentation of the items, the Secretary of the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency, Saadu Magaji, said the intervention would provide critical support to residents grappling with the aftermath of the attack.
Magaji noted that the state government, under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, had taken swift steps to assist the affected community.
He said the donated materials would play a significant role in easing the hardship faced by victims and expressed appreciation to UNICEF for the timely support.
“The items will go a long way in bringing relief to the people of Woro. We are grateful for UNICEF’s continued partnership and humanitarian support to the state,” he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Yunusa Usman, described the donation as a welcome intervention, stressing that it would help address the urgent needs of displaced and traumatised residents.
According to him, while the gesture may not erase the pain experienced by victims, it would help restore some dignity and improve sanitation and hygiene conditions within the community.
Usman urged individuals, non-governmental organisations and development partners to complement government efforts in tackling humanitarian challenges across the state.
He added that the administration’s open-door policy had strengthened collaboration with international development agencies.
“Before the current administration came on board, many development organisations were not actively engaged in the state. Today, agencies such as UNICEF and the World Health Organisation are partnering with the government to advance development and humanitarian programmes,” he said.
Earlier, the Chief of Field Office for UNICEF in Kaduna, Gerida Birukila, explained that the agency stepped in after assessing the level of trauma and humanitarian needs among residents of the affected community.
She commended the state government and security agencies for their efforts in restoring calm to the area and reassuring residents.
Birukila disclosed that UNICEF had provided 400 dignity kits for immediate distribution, adding that another 1,000 kits would be delivered in the coming weeks to reach more residents.
She explained that the kits contain sanitary pads, water treatment supplies, water storage containers and other hygiene materials aimed at improving access to safe water and sanitation.
According to her, UNICEF has also supported the community with health services and facilities to help meet the needs of victims recovering from the attack.
The General Manager of the Kwara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency also praised the intervention, describing it as a vital step in supporting vulnerable communities affected by violence. He called for sustained collaboration to strengthen humanitarian response efforts across the state.
