Internally Displaced Persons IDPs in Nkwen receive relief aid from Catholic Church

By ABM 

Over a hundred Internally Displace Persons IDPs residing in St Michaels’ Parish Futru Nkwen have benefited some relief items.

The Items were handed to the beneficiary Sunday February 25 in the Futru Parish main mission after the Sunday Mass celebrated by His Lordship Micheal Bibi Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bamenda.  

 

Bamenda Auxiliary Bishop Michael Bibi donating to IDPs

Speaking during the Holy Mass, the Auxiliary Bishop explained that he was visiting Futru Parish because he decided to give to those who are internally displaced after consultation with the Parish Priest who had earlier done the registration of the IDPs in his parish. 

“One of the communities of Cameroonians that is in Copenhagen in Denmark; I happened to have gone there in September last year when the young Bishops had their meeting in Rome. When I celebrated Mass in Denmark, I told the Cameroonians there that many of our Christians have been internally displaced. That many of them are refugees out of the country and that they don’t even have some basic things they need in other to make life worth living for them.” The Prelate said 

In response he added “In December they sent me through one of their members in the person of Celestine Fuka 415.000 FRS.” According to the Bishop, the donors wanted him to make a trip to Nigeria and visit refugees forced to flee by the armed conflict. Unfortunately after cross checking ways to get to North Nigeria, the Bishop said “it was very difficult.” Admitting that he had visited another area hosting refugees in Nigeria and can attest to the suffering, His Lordship expressed the wish to go back there again with assistance if need be. He however convinced the donors to divert their gifts to those internally displaced in the country who are also going through and living in very difficult conditions in Bamenda. 

 

Bishop addressing IDPs shortly before handing relief items

“I know that we have to go and visit those who are out of Cameroon; but I also know that in Cameroon and in Bamenda, Change Care Foundation is doing a lot in other to help Internally Displaced Persons. Then I pleaded with them and said look, if you take any parish in Bamenda,  you will have internally displaced persons who come from  all over the NW and SW regions and are staying with families and friends.” They will then accept the plea allowing the Prelate to handover the items in Bamenda. 

After consulting the Change care Foundation the Bishop said “they decided to choose St Michael’s Parish Futru-Nkwen. 

Prior to the distribution of the items, Rev Fr Marc Nguemo on behalf of the Parish expressed gratitude to the Bishop and the donors for choosing Futru while indicating that there were many persons internally displaced within the parish who could not register in time. He assured the displaced that the Church will always be by them especially in times of difficulties like now. The Priest also encouraged the beneficiaries not to give up on God who is always there to listen and protect them. 

On her part, Madam Therese Tamunang President of the Parish Pastoral Council detailed that the funds helped them to get items such as rice, soap; tomatoes, sanitary pads which could help them for some days. She used the event to thank Christians in the parish who have been hosting the displaced and assured them of the constant support of the Church.