The African Refugees Foundation (AREF) has announced plans to distribute cooked and raw food items to approximately 10,000 refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and vulnerable individuals across Lagos and selected states as part of activities marking the 2026 World Refugee Day.
Flag-off Event in Surulere
The Chief Executive Officer of AREF, Mr Olujimi Olusola, made this known yesterday during a programme to officially flag off the food distribution. The event also featured free health checks and counselling sessions for vulnerable and indigent residents of Surulere.
Mr Olusola stated that the foundation is prepared to expand its efforts across Nigeria if it secures the necessary resources, particularly in equipping beneficiaries with economic skills. He noted that the flag-off is also aimed at raising awareness about the challenges faced by refugees and displaced people globally.
He emphasized that refugees and IDPs are human beings and that anyone could become a refugee under certain circumstances.
Fashola Commends AREF
The special guest at the event, former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, commended AREF for organizing the initiative, stating that it helps foster the right attitude towards promoting peace and responsible living.
He said: “We must do whatever we can beyond giving support to refugees to prevent the incidents of displacement from occurring in whatever position we find ourselves. And perhaps the biggest thing that we must embrace in that sense is patience. The prevention and resolution of conflict, but certainly not the instigation of conflict.
“Of course, there are natural events that also displace people, events of nature, flooding, weather and so on. Again, we can do some things about this. And so when they tell us how to protect, defend and use our environment, these are messages of what we, as a people, can contribute to prevent or mitigate events that result in the displacement of people.”
