Christian clerics, under the aegis of Christian Association of Clergies in Nigeria, want governments at all levels to find permanent solutions to the country’s incessant floods.
This is contained in a statement issued by the group’s National President, Archbishop Yiman Orkwar and National Coordinator, His Lordship, Justice Alpha Ikpeama, on Sunday in Enugu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the Christian Association of Clergies in Nigeria, is a group of Christian clerics agitating and championing the interest and social welfare of the clergy, members of laity and the citizens.
The statement decried what it described as “the pathetic, pitiable, painful and excruciating sufferings of displaced persons following devastating floods, due to torrential downpour currently in its climax.
“We wish to remind Nigerians that religion that is pure and undefiled is to help widows, downtrodden, orphans and those in need.”
It therefore, noted that victims of flood disasters were in dire need of prayers, help, comfort, encouragement and provision of relief materials by government, organisations and private individuals, to cushion effects of the disasters.
The group decried the lack of even basic necessities in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
“It is very unfortunate and regrettable that most of the IDP camps lack security, electricity, water, mattresses, pillows, toilets, bathrooms, soaps, tissues, foods, cloths and other basic necessities of life.
“It is no longer news that they lost their houses, monies, properties, farmlands, crops, sources of livelihood, and all they have acquired in life.
“It is of great relevance for us to share in the agony, pains, sufferings, predicaments and problems of the displaced persons.
“Governments, political class, corporate organisations and affluent individuals should spare no efforts to contribute immensely towards ameliorating the pathetic plights of the victims and their families.”
The group of clergy noted that to put smiles on faces of the displaced persons, Church leaders should raise funds in their Churches to aid victims of disasters, adding that; “there are always unprecedented blessings in giving and sharing.”
“In line with our patriotic, selfless and humanitarian disposition, we have established a Special Trust Fund for rehabilitating displaced persons in various IDP camps in the country.
“We equally appeal to affluent Nigerians to donate generously to the Fund. It will help in no small measure in ameliorating the excruciating sufferings of flood victims.
“May God accept the souls of persons who lost their lives when their houses and farmlands were submerged by floods.
“May God to give grace to the bereaved to bear the irreparable and irreplaceable losses,’ the clerics said in the statement.