By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, distributed palliative to 47,020 vulnerable households in Enugu State to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The palliative items included; 1,584.09 metric tonnes (53 trailer loads) of maize and 766.9 metric tonnes (about 26 trailer loads) of garri (cassava flakes).

Handling over the palliative items to the state government in Enugu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, said that the palliatives was for vulnerable households that depend largely on others for their daily survival.

Farouq noted that the palliative items show Federal Government commitment to cater for the vulnerable and downtrodden persons within the society affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

``We are here to present to you, assorted grains from the National Food Reserve, approved by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari as palliative for the distribution to vulnerable persons affected by the action of movement restriction to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

“We all know that the outbreak of the pandemic has brought about changes and challenges to our normal ways of living.

“Most obvious of this is on the vulnerable persons that depend largely on others for their daily survival,” Farouq, who was represented by Mr Charles Anaelo, Deputy Director in the ministry, said.

She said that such vulnerable persons included; the aged, people living with disabilities and persons of concerns that deserve support in terms of basic necessities including foods.

Responding, the Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, thanked President Buhari for remembering Enugu State for the palliatives especially vulnerable households in the state.

Ezeilo, who represented Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, noted that the Buhari’s administration had continued to give special attention to issues concerning the state.

According to her, just two weeks ago, President Buhari re-opened the upgraded and rehabilitated Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

“On behalf of the entire state, I appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for this special intervention as well as the minister for the gesture to give succour to our vulnerable people.

“It will be distributed judiciously and to the vulnerable persons mentioned,” she assured.