The world is witnessing an unprecedented level of humanitarian crisis that requires global attention and action. According to the United Nations Refugee Council, more than 70 million people have been forced from their homes globally, usually as a result of armed conflict, disease, natural disasters and violent persecutions. Altogether, more than two thirds (67 per cent) of all refugees worldwide came from just five countries: Syria, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Somalia. In addition, 60 per cent of preventable maternal deaths happen in settings of conflict, displacement and natural disasters.
From every indication, the tipping point has been surpassed and what the world needs now is a reaction by way of collaborative interventions involving global leaders, Public-Private-Partnerships, Development Agencies, Multilateral Organisations and the Civil Society.
Sahara Group has through the Sahara Foundation, invested in education, vocational skills development and healthcare for people who have been displaced from their communities.
In Nigeria, Sahara Foundation currently supports pupils and students in the North-East of Nigeria with an all-round educational scholarship that covers educational materials, medical care, housing, feeding and clothing. The scholarship recipients are victims of the insurgence. The intervention seeks to create learning opportunties for young Nigerians towards human capacity development. In 2019, Sahara Foundation plans to double the number of scholarships for primary school pupils while also creating a new programme that will target tertiary institution students in North- East, Nigeria.
In a similar vein, Sahara Foundation has also provided humanitarian support in Zambia through the construction of an outdoor kitchen for displaced young girls who are housed by the Vision of Hope (VoH), Lusaka. VoH is a care home for young girls who are victims of violence in their home countries. Currently about forty six young girls from neighboring countries are housed in the home and the intervention provides the girls with the skills and tool to get better, develop vocational skills in etiquette, catering, hoteling, and hospitality management which will in-turn drive self- reliance.
In 2018, Sahara Foundation’s humanitarian interventions in Ghana directly benefitted twenty (20) men and women in Temale. The beneficiaries were trained in entrepreneurship and construction of rain catchment which is used to trap water runoff. The trapped rain water can be stored for use in homes, schools and community health centres especially when there is no readily available source of water.
As World Humanitarian Day is marked today, Sahara Foundation joins the world in calling for more action towards humanitarian support, especially for millions of people who have been displaced from their homes and communities. As sustainable development drivers, Sahara Foundation remain committed to collaborating with regional and global stakeholders to restore hope and help millions of people get another shot at realising their dreams.
