With more than 1 million people losing their jobs, the economy teetering, schools closing down, and social distancing measures isolating vulnerable populations, hunger is a definite.
Formed in the wake of the pandemic by Mmanti Umoh, the Community Stakeholders For Social Good – AKS is influencing community outcomes by redirecting business and supporting stakeholders like NTO ANNANG in the Akwa Ibom community to create social impact.
NTO ANNANG reached approximately 1,000 households across different disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in the 8 Local Government Areas of Annangland with the NAF Meal Pack; 10KG each of Rice, Beans, and Garri carefully chosen from the communities and villages in Annang land from Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 10, 2020.
The President of NTO Annang Foundation Adede Abon Ephraim Okon initiated a 3 Day outreach to local governments in his senatorial district. On the first day of its outreach, the President of Nto Annang Foundation and member Board of Trustees Adede Ukpong Edem worked with the CS4SG -AKS team leads; Mr. Ubong Ukut Head of Media and, Mr. Ezekiel Okon – Head of Community Mobilization to deploy a community outreach starting in Abak LGA and reaching to Oruk Anam.
NTO ANNANG association visited; Abak, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun, Etim Ekpo, Obot Akara, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Ikot Ekpene, Essen Udim. Stakeholders who were a part of this outreach; The President of NTO Annang Foundation Adede Abon Ephraim Okon, Sir Ukpong Ekam, Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo – His Royal Highness, Prof. Amanam Akpan Udo, Dede Pastor Ekom Mendie, Barr. Ini Usoro, Fidelis Udo-Utun, the President, Nto Annang USA, Chief Sam Billy – Chairman, Council of Village Heads in Ika, Executive Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area, Elder Raphael Isobara.
At the end of 3 Days of Community sensitization and COVID19 awareness; NTO ANNANG foundation had donated; 10KG bags of Rice, Beans, and Garri to 1000 unserved community members and, widowers, widows and physically challenged individuals.
The huge rise in demand for food because of the impact [the pandemic] is taking an on our vulnerable populations, our social safety net is under intense pressure. Since the pandemic reached AKS, the state government under the leadership of HE Udom G. Emmanuel has released a stimulus package to support its people however there are much more people who are vulnerable, have lost their jobs and others who need aid, and investment by organizations that are stakeholders in the community to provide food to people in need. Even still, a lot of people are falling through the cracks.
With the pandemic forcing people to stay indoors, it’s challenging for elderly people, those with compromised immune systems, and those living in poverty to buy food at stores and restaurants that are still open. Companies across the food supply chain can join the CS4SG -AKS to identify organizations interested in providing food to these vulnerable communities. No amount is too small. It might be a couple of sandwiches, that might not seem like a lot to you, but it sure does to someone who’s living rough.
We need to understand, as a society, that the greatest impact of this will be on underserved and unserved communities. There’s a responsibility for those who aren’t as financially impacted to make sure we take care of those who are deeply impacted or who are heading into this crisis already with low incomes.
Thank you to the Nto Annang Foundation. It’s this sort of community resilience that gives us hope.
