Bishops of NGA, CMR assist refugees fleeing Boko Haram

Archbishop Kaigama notes how the Federal Government of Nigeria has joined efforts with the episcopal conferences of Nigeria and Cameroon in working together to provide assistance to thousands of Nigerians who have fled to Cameroon due to Boko Haram’s continued violence.

According to Fides, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, the president of the Episcopal Conference of Nigeria revealed this during a press conference held at the end of the plenary assembly of the Bishops of Nigeria.

The Archbishop of Jos explained that Nigeria’s federal government has joined the efforts of the Catholic Church in assisting Nigerian refugees in Cameroon.

Specifically, he noted, that authorities in Abuja have donated 50 million Naira to the Nigerian Bishops' Conference, which will be used along with the Cameroonian counterpart to assist Nigerians welcomed in some refugee camps scattered throughout the country.

The body of the Nigerian bishops, on its behalf, has collected another 10 million Naira, bringing the total aid for refugees to 60 million (EUR 267 926).

On May 3, Archbishop Kaigama said, a delegation of Nigerian Bishops will travel to Cameroon to assess the needs of refugees.

The Bishop of Maiduguri, Oliver Dashe Doeme, and the President of Caritas Nigeria, Bishop of Umuhia Lucius Ugorji will be part of the delegation.

Archbishop Kaigama expressed the hope that also government representatives will join the delegation and has invited the faithful not to forget the suffering of the displaced and refugees fleeing the violence of Islamist sect