News & Events
INTERVENTION ACTIVITIES FOR FLOOD VICTIMS AT BAYELSA STATE
Date Posted: December 3, 2022DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, PROVINCE OF NIGERIA
REPORT
ON
INTERVENTION ACTIVITIES FOR FLOOD VICTIMS AT BAYELSA STATE
3RD – 10TH DECEMBER, 2022
PREPARED BY
CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM
REPORT ON INTERVENTION FOR FLOOD VICTIMS AT BAYELSA STATE, 3RD – 10TH DECEMBER, 2022
… “You must be ready to serve those who are poor wherever you are sent; with the army, as you did when you were called there, with poor criminals and, generally speaking wherever you can assist poor persons, since that is your purpose” (Constitution 11b).
And also motivated by the theme of the 2021 Provincial Assembly EPHATA which is a call to: “BREAKTHROUGH THE GATE….. GO TOWARDS …. ENCOUNTER! The Daughters of Charity of ST. Vincent De Paul, through Crises Intervention Team, took off, like Mary, A WOMAN OF ACTION; whose hands and feet moved “with haste” towards others, moved to bring them the charity of Jesus, to bring the light of the Gospel to the Flood victims in Bayelsa State.
MANDATE: On the 22nd of October, 2022, the Crises Intervention Team received a phone call from the Provincial Superior of the Daughters of Charity - SR. IFEOMA ARINZE, requesting them to follow-up on the victims of the flood disaster in Nigeria, especially in Bayelsa State which is the worst hit state; to identify areas and liaise/collaborate with the existing groups, where Daughters of Charity, Province of Nigeria could offer help.
RESPONSE: In response through phone calls, the team implored the assistance of a member of the friends of Daughters of Charity – Mrs. Remi Togun and the President of the friends of Daughters of Charity – Mr. Cyril Ekpe. Contact/inquires was made to the following in Bomadi Diocese: the Bishop of Bomadi Diocese, Bishop Hyacinth Oroko Egbebo, the Vicar General of Bomadi Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Opelema – 08036666804, JDPC coordinator of Bomadi Diocese – Rev. Fr. Zachariah – 08133983340.
Further contact was made to Rev. Pastor John Oluwajana – 08061378925 who is a resident Pastor in One of the worst hit Local Government Area (LGA).
FEED BACKS FROM INQUIRIES:-
The Bishop of Bomadi Diocese – Bishop Hyacinth who at the time was out of the country, directed that the Team worked closely with the JDPC coordinator of the Diocese in all decisions.
The Rev. Pastor – Rev. John Oluwajana sent all related pictures, videos and geographical areas mostly affected, internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) sort of camps, and suggested relief materials and medicals.
FEEDBACK TO THE VISITATRIX:-
The feedbacks were communicated to the visitatrix, SR. Ifeoma Arinze and her Council to enable a more effective coordination of the interventions outreach. They responded positively thereby confirming the tentative proposed date for the interventions which was 15th – 22nd November, 2022.
REMOTE PREPARATIONS:-
On the 26th of October 2022, the Visitatrix, named the co-opted members for the Bayelsa flood disaster intervention as follows:-
Sisters: Angelina Mark – St. Louises Community Ikot Ekpene
Anna Machine – Okpanan Community
Blessing Adie – The Child Community Kaduna Street PH.
On the 31st of October 2022, a brief meeting was held in the Provincial House to deliberate and strategies on how to achieve our mandate.
Attendance were:- SR. Ifeoma Arize - Visitatrix
Angela Onah - Provincial Bursar
Ifeanyi Okpara - Co-opted Member
SR. Marie Therese Okon - Co-ordinator
The Crises Intervention Team after our discussions we arrived at the following Estimated Budgets made on the following items:
Foodstuff
Medications
Wrapper Materials
Transport (Cars, Speed Boats, et)
Transport – Fuels
Hospital Emergency
Sisters Welfare
Pure Water (IDPs)
Appeal messages/Letters were sent to Daughters of Charity Local Communities and any group/persons that may be moved to assist. Also, SRS. Pauline Ekanem and Marie Therese Okon took an appeal letter to the managing Director of the Indorama Company for assistance to the flood victim’s disaster.
TEAM MEMBERS:- The team members and co-opted members were officially named and properly informed as follows:-
SR. Angela Mark - Co-opted member
SR. Anna Machine - Co-opted member
SR. Blessing Odie - Co-opted member
SR. Caroline Olungunwa - Member
SR. Marie Therese Okon - Coordinator
COMMUNICATIONS:- From the 27th of October to 23rd of November 2022, discussions through test messages, phone calls, emails, photos, videos were on going to help effective, planning and execution of the activities.
CHALLENGES WERE:- Flood level not residing, Transport (cars) were not in used, speed-boats, canoe not safe with the hostile water (River), Accommodation for the sisters, Donations/Contributions were not forth coming – due to the economic situations of our country. This moment were times of waiting, praying and entering into our personal/province life of poverty and depending solely on divine providence as our founder – ST. Vincent De Paul will say – “ALWAYS TRUST IN DEVINE PROVIDENCE”.
ARRIVAL/CRISES INTERVENTION TEAM MEETING:-
On the 29th of November 2022, the Crises Intervention Team Members arrived safely to the Provincial House to prepare for the outreach.
On the 30th of November, 2022, we held a brief meeting to identify and clarify the tasks to be carried out based on feedbacks, recommendations, Communications from the different concerned persons in Bayelsa state. The relief materials which were gathered for the intervention mission were shown to the Team.
After discussions we arrived at the following objectives
To express and extend a gesture of solidarity to the Diocese of Bomadi and Bayelsa State.
To be present to and with the internal Displaced persons of the flood disaster.
To witness to the presence of God’s Love, Concerned, Care, Compassion, Mercy and Blessing among His people.
To provide and share Food/Clothing, medical needs, counseling services (group/individual) etc.
Worth noting; Bomadi Diocese Spread through three states namely: Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta
It will be good depending on our programme and resources to creates three centres, one in each state.
IMPACT ASSESMENT:-The flood have ravaged in its entirety 6 of the LGAs of Bayelsa State namely; yenogoa, Ogbia Southern Ijaw, Sagbama, Kalokuma, Opokuma and Ekeremor. Nembe LGA was mildly affected too.
The table below shows the LGAs and some heavily impacted communities in each LGAs.
SUGGESTED RELIEF MATERIALS BY CRISES INTERVENTION TEAM
Medical - Generally (To Treat Minor Illnesses)
Food Used/New Clothes
Rice
Beans
Salt
Garri
Groundnut Oil
Indomie
Tin Tomatoes
Onions
Ogbono
Semovita
Bonga Fish
Crayfish
Dry Pepper
New Wrappers (6 Yards Each)
The meeting was concluded at 12pm with the Angelus said by SR. Blessing Adie, DC.
PREPARATION:- (SHOPPING)
The Provincial Bursar of the Daughters of Charity – SR. Angela Onah disbursed the funds for the purchase of large quantities of items which includes the following:-
Bonga Fish
Garri
Beans
Pepper
Ogbono
Customers plastic bags/packaging bags
Wrappers (176 pieces)
All payments were done through Bank Transfer
CONTRIBUTIONS OF RELIEF MATERIALS FROM DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND OTHERS WERE:-
PREPARATION: (PACKAGING)
From the 31st of November – 2nd of December 2022, the team members, sisters in the Provincial House, Seminary Community, nearby communities, Roalie Home women, staff of the Provincial House at one time or another joined in the packaging, arranging, gathering and labeling of the relief materials the intervention outreached. This was very exciting moments. It gave a sense of Patriotic Nigerian and a Christ –like compassion to feed the hungry.
DEPARTURE FROM ELEME:-
On the 3rd of December, 2022, three vehicles were load with the relief materials at about 7:30am. At 8:30am, the sisters in Eleme Community, Seminary Community, Drivers, Crises Intervention Team and the visitatrix – SR. Ifeoma Arinze organized and lead a special prayer for God’s guidance, protection and blessing for the mission. She began with a hymn to ST. Louise de Marillac, thereafter, the Gospel of the day was read (Mathew 9:35, 10:1-5a, 6-8). SR Ifeoma Arinze gave a reflection and invited SR. Christiana Igechi the SR. servant of the House to say a prayer for the journey. Thereafter, the three vehicles with the relief materials and the Crises Intervention Team left St. Louises Provincial House. We were accompanied by the visitatrix SR. Ifeoma Arinze to Bayelsa state and to be back to Eleme, same day.
ARRIVAL TO BAYELSA STATE (ST. MATTHIAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, AMARATA, YENOGOA) 3rd/12/2022.
On arrival to ST. Matthias Catholic Church, Amarata, Yenogoa at about 1pm we were welcomed by Rev. Fr. Bruno Douglas the Parish Priest, in whose parish arrangement was made for accommodation and meals. Brief introduction was made, relief materials were off-load into the store house and Fr. Bruno, invited us for lunch and gave us a great treat. The visitatrix – SR. Ifeoma Arinze, and the three drives returned to Eleme at about 3:30pm while we sorted out our accommodation. The Catholic Women Organization (CWO) came to welcome us and expressed their joy for our solidarity with them at this critical time.
BRIEF MEETING WITH FR. BRUNO DOUGLAS (PARISH PRIEST)
At about 5pm, the team met with Fr. Bruno Douglas, the parish priest for briefing. After a short prayer, He shared the plight of the flood victims, their needs, and all that the diocese, groups and individuals have done to alleviate the sufferings of the displaced families.
In response, the Team Co-ordinator – SR. Marie Therese Okon, expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome they received and expressed that they are here on behalf of the Daughters of Charity of ST. Vincent De Paul, Province of Nigeria in order;
To be in solidarity with the displaced families
To make possible interventions in the areas of: Medical needs, Food/Clothing and Counseling Services.
We equally need his suggestions on some of the activities planned to be carried out.
The team also expressed that, they needed volunteers to direct them to the identified communities.
Fr. Bruno Douglas expressed fear when he sent the list of identified communities in 6 LGAs and wonder if we have enough relief materials for them.
The coordinator explained the procedure to him that in each LGA, we have a staging area, where other communities will come together.
In the light of the outcome of our discussion, we reduce the number of communities in some staging area but still kept at being presence to the 6 LGAs in the state as we had planned.
New Plan:-
The meeting ended with a short prayer said by SR. Angelina Mark and Fr. Bruno gave the blessings.
THE TEAM ACTION PLAN:-
6am - Personal Prayer
6:30am - Holy Sacrifice of the Mass/Morning Prayer
Incorporated
7:30am - Breakfast
8am - 5:30pm - Apostolate
Lunch - (Snacks) when necessary
6:30pm - Prayer of the church
7:30pm - Supper
8:15pm - Evaluation of the day’s work plan for the next
day.
ACTIVITIES
DDAY ONE:- 4/12/2022
The day began with the Holy sacrifice of the mass at 6:30am. The team was introduced to the Christian communities who were very delighted and thanked us for our support and shown love at this difficult time. The priest expressed appreciation to the Daughters of Charity for what they stand for and constantly do for humanity.
Thereafter breakfast, the rest of the day was spent on packaging, arranging and labeling for all the communities to be visited by the Intervention Team. Fr. Bruno Douglas generously released the mass servers and some church members to assist in the packaging. The day ended at 8pm with prayer/super at 8:30pm.
VISITS TO THE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES/6 LGAs
In solidarity of charity to the affected communities and the displaced families, the Crises Intervention Team, under the leadership of SR. Ifeoma Arinze – visitatrix of the Province of Nigeria, was commissioned to undertake this assignment. In all the communities visited, the Team coordinator SR. Marie Therese Okon expressed gratitude for the warm welcome they received from them and she stressed the fact that, they were there on behalf of the Daughters of Charity of ST. Vincent De Paul, Province of Nigeria:-
In solidarity with the displaced families
To make possible interventions through the provision of food stuffs, items of clothing and counseling services.
DAY 2: BISENI COMMUNITY (5/12/2022).
Crisis Intervention Team took off for Biseni Community at 8am and arrived at 10am led by Rev. Pastor John Oluwajana - The residence Pastor of solid Rock Baptist Church who the team has been in communication with.
The community welcomed us with songs, joyful dance and great excitement despite their sufferings. In their strong faith and simplicity, they consider it an honour to have been visited in their misery, to bring them succor.
In addressing the displaced families, the Crises Intervention Team Coordinator – SR. Marie Therese Okon, encouraged the people and reminds them that the visit was a sign of solidarity and of God’s presence, love, care, concern, compassion and blessings to them. A minute of silence was observed for the lost loved ones of the various families.
Furthermore, SR. Angelina Mark and SR. Blessing Adie moved out to address the student of Egbebiri Secondary School while SR. Caroline Olungunwa and Anna Machine went to the Primary School section to encourage them to study hard, talk on Health issues and the modern slave trafficking, etc.
PROVIDING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE: For most of the sick displaced persons, the common/minor illnesses were treated; fever, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, peptic ulcer, skin infections, rashes, cough, waist pain, knee/leg pain, etc.
A member of the friends of DCs – Mrs. Remi Togu arrived at the scene, straight from Airport – coming from Lagos to assist in the place. She is a pharmacist – so she assisted in prescription and many people were attended to here.
AN EMERGENCY SITUATION: In Biseni here, a 9 year old child (boy) was brought in a state of convulsion, high fever, and enlarged spleen. It was beyond our scope. Immediately Sr. Caroline Olugunwa was directed to carry the child to the nearby medical centre. The child was admitted, Laboratory test carried out, intravenous infusion given deposit of N10,000 paid. We kept communication with the hospital and after four days, the child was discharged with the bill of N 16,000 naira only, other emergency cases were attended to but not on admission. They were amazed at the quantity of medications the team brought with them and expressed that; they have never seen this great act of charity and unique intervention, the best so far in the history of Biseni Clan. Although, not all those sick that were attended to, but the people were very understanding and patient.
Total number of persons attended to were 86; Female – 54, Male - 32
Age range between 7 years - 95years
While medicals was ongoing Sr. Angelina Mark attended to counseling needs of the people while SR. Caroline Olugunwa, Blessing Adie, Anna Machine did the sharing of food items, clothing, etc.
TWINS DELIVERY:-
During the flood disaster two set of twins was delivered in the camps of Biseni Community. They were brought in and were attended to specially, the community was well organized; police men were on guard, NYSC members and nurses from health centre were there to assist. The team visited the chief in his house. It was a pitiable sight. In response, the chief on behalf of the community expressed gratitude for the visit and he thanked the members while requesting them to extend their greetings to all those who are concerned in sending, bringing them some aids and praying for them. The relief items were shared among the people and about 300 families benefited from the distribution. About 25 elderly persons were given wrappers but every family present went home with an item, however, small but beautiful. After the interactions, the Team prayed with them. This love and faith gesture brought much joy to the people. At 5.5pm we return to Amarata and on arrival at 7:33pm we evaluated the activities of the day and planned for the next day.
DAY 3: KIAMA COMMU NITY (6TH/12/2022)
The day began with the Holy sacrifice of the mass which was incorporated with Morning Prayer. The Crises Intervention Team left Amarala for Kiama Community at 9am. We arrived safely and had a great welcome by the church chairman and community development leader and others. The day began with praise and worship songs, and dancing. Followed with opening prayer led by someone from the community.
Thereafter, SR. Angelina Mark, introduced the team and explained our reason for coming to Kiama to see them. They expressed appreciations to the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul, Province of Nigeria for their show of God’s love and blessing. Routine activities carried out such as talks, encouraging them with scriptural passages, listening, interacting, counseling, medical treatments, sharing of food items, clothing’s, shoes, wrappers to elderly persons, etc; talk on trafficking tips is a must do affair. Relief materials shared includes; Rice, beans, garri, tomatoes, onions, maggi, groundnut oil, ogbono, peper, crayfish, Bonga fish, indomie, salt, clothing, wrappers, etc.
Total Number of persons for medical care/treatment - 60persons
Male – 24, Female – 36, Age grange – between 2years – 89 years.
Relief materials were shared to about 283 displaced families. Total number of persons attended to estimated at about 450 persons. About 20 elderly persons Were given wrappers.
Everyone was full of gratitude and continued to say in their dilate “thank you”. We returned to Amarata at about 5:40pm. We evaluated the day and planned for the next day.
DAY 4: OTUOKPOTI COMMUNITY (7/12/2022)
At about 9am, the Crises Intervention Team left for Otuokpoti Community, led by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Oyombio – CSSP – The Parish Priest of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Otuokpoti. We arrived at 10:45am in the church compound, where the community people had gathered. As at then, the Medication had reduced greatly so we bought some medications on the way.
On arrival, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel did the opening prayer, introduced the team and Sr. Marie Therese Okon, addressed the people, thanked them for coming, encouraged them with the word of God to keep their faith alive and trust God as a loving and merciful father. She sighted some scriptural passages to support her messages, thereafter, Sr. Angelina Mark continued with some tips on Human Trafficking, etc. medical treatment commenced after the talk, while SRS. Angelina Mark and Caroline Olungunwa continued with individual counseling. SRS. Anna Machine and Blessing Adie joined to dispensed medications.
After counseling SRS. Angelina Mark and Caroline Olungunwa began the sharing of food items, clothings, wrappers, etc. everyone present had some little package to go home with. There were smiles on people’s faces and they kept expressing gratitude for the kind gesture to God and to the Daughters of Charity.
We returned back at 4:50pm, led by Fr. Emmanuel Oyombio to Amarata. The team continued the packaging for the next day till 7:15pm, had evening prayer, supper and retired for the day.
About 350 displaced families had palliative package. About 400 persons attended to 25 wrappers given to elderly persons.
DAY 5: AMARATA COMMUNITY (8/12/2022)
This was the solemnity of the Immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The day began with the Holy sacrifice of the mass, thereafter, the team had their prayer of consecration for 8th December said in a little chapel of Adoration in the Parish Church.
We began activities in the church compound. Opening prayer was led by Pastor Frankline of OPM church. SR. Caroline Olugunwa welcomed the people and SR. Marie Therese Okon, addressed the people on our visit, encouraging them, with the word of God, etc. SR. Angelina Mark enlighten them on the new form of slavey – Human Trafficking thereafter, routine activities were carried out; individual counseling, wrappers. Medical treatment was not carried out here in Amarata. The medications has reduced greatly and we preserved it to the people in the creaks.
Number of displaced families given palliative package were 430 families, 35 wrappers for elderly, Total persons attended to were about 658 persons.
On this day, we had the largest number of displaced persons, and we believe there was multiplication of loaves.
Two medical emergencies appeared, and they were accompanied to the nearby medical centre and paid for. The day ended at about 4:48pm.
DAY 6: ALEIBIRI COMMUNITY (9/12/2022)
“Say yes to changes, to surprise and to unexpected events; you will start appreciating the perfection within everything” - Isha Judd.
Yes we left Amarata for Aleibiri Community and on the way the car developed some faults, we could not continue to the community. It was then planned for the next day.
The car was fixed and the team returned back to Amarata for the day.
DAY 7: ALEIBIRI COMMUNITY (10/12/2022)
As Jesus went about doing his father's will, so were the Daughters of Charity around the creeks in Bayelsa State, bringing relief to those affected by the flood?
Urged by the Charity of Christ Crucified, the sisters took a bolt step to cross the river in a boat to Alaibiri, a village under Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Arriving at the premises of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church where the victims had gathered. The Parish Priest, Fr. Athanasius Kofa welcomed the team with appreciation for the act of kindness towards the people. After a brief interaction with the people, food stuff such as; Rice, beans, salt, crayfish, tomatoes, onions, maggi and drugs were shared. People were happy with beaming faces. It was so sticking to see Priests who also experienced the flood in other Parishes requesting for food to share for the suffering poor within their parishes. Indeed there is hunger in the land!
We pray that God of Providence will provide support for all those in need during this difficult time.
VISIT TO THE BISHOP OF BOMADI DIOCESE
At about 11:52am, the teams cross the river over to Bomadi community to pay a visit to the Local ordinary – Bishop Hyacinth Egbebo, MSP.
After exchanging pleasantries, the coordinator of the Team – SR. Marie Therese Okon, introduced the team, informed him of our purpose and mission in the diocese. She expressed that they are there on behalf of the DC of St. Vincent De Paul, Province of Nigeria in order:-
To be in solidity with the displaced families
To make possible interventions in the areas of medical needs, food/clothing and counseling services .
She gave a brief rundown of how the work has been in the six LGAs we have visited and the grouping of the communities in each centre
SR. Marie Therese expressed the fact that it is not the relief materials but OUR PRESENCE
Also, that we have enlightened the people on the present form of slavey which is human trafficking, medication served and counseling services given.
In response, the Bishop expressed his appreciation to the Daughters of Charity for their kind gesture and solidarity to the catholic Diocese of Bomadi and the entire displaced families in Bayelsa state. The Bishop once more thanked the Daughters of Charity for the good work in Bomadi Diocese even in time past when they were serving in his diocese. Thereafter, Bishop gave his blessing and we deported at 12:45pm.
LIST OF PERSONS ATTENDED TO FOR COUNSELING AND REHABILITATION.
DEPARTURE FROM BAYELSA STATE:
Finally, on the 10th/12/2022, the Crises Intervention Team left ST. Matthias Catholic Church, Amarata, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state at about 4:30pm and arrived Eleme, Port Harcourt, Rivers State at about 7:20pm.
At the end of the day, reflecting on what the faithful God has accomplished through the Crisis Intervention Team of the Daughters of Charity of ST. Vincent De Paul, in the life of the flood victims in the above mentioned 6 L.G.As we continue to see the call to, “BREAKTHROUGH THE GATE……GO TOWARDS…….ENCOUNTER was put into action” and the grace of God sufficient for all on the mission field.
THANKS BE TO GOD.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
In the light of our findings our recommendation’s are in two parts;
Immediate follow-up interventions
Later interventions
IMMEDIATE INTERVENTIONS:
Food and wrappers (children wears of all ages up to 15years especially at this season).
Farm seedlings for planting of different kinds but particular to the area.
Farm tools, hoes, marchets, shovels etc.
Cooking utensils of all types.
LATER INTERVENTIONS:
Shelter (for some help in wood roofing )
Loan for small scale business.
APPRECIATION
OUR THANKS GOES FIRST TO GOD, for everything He has done and will continue to do, Amen”
Also, the team thanks the Bishop, Priests concerned for their warm reception, hospitality, sacrificing their time, visiting with the team, May God bless and reward them all through Christ our Lord.
Many thanks to the sister of the province of Nigeria especially to the sisters in the provincial community, seminary community for their Prayers, Novena Masses, Text Messages and Phone Calls. These were another motivating force that enhanced our services and encouraged us.
Finally, the team will not fail to recognize the wonderful support, appreciation and encouragement of SR. Ifeoma Arinze and her council which enabled the team to complete this mission successfully.
May God in His great mercy, bless and reward you all, Amen.
CONCLUSION: This report gives a vivid description of the contribution of the Daughters of Charity Province of Nigeria towards the alleviation of the plight of the displaced persons/communities in the 6 LGAs of Bayelsa state. The provision of medical assistance, food Aid, clothing, advice and spiritual guidance, working in collaboration with others, our enthusiasm and giftedness, paved the way and brought tremendous assistance to all suffering, dispirited and broken persons we encountered. By God’s grace we shall do more in future Amen.
THANK YOU
SR. MARIE THERESE OKON (D.C)
Coordinator Crisis Intervention Team