Caritas Nigeria calls for aid for poor amidst global financial crisis

Rome, Italy, Feb 26, 2009 / 15:17 pm

The office for development, justice and peace of Caritas Nigeria expressed concern this week over “the global recession and the consequences it is having on the poor in Nigeria, especially in relation to the global food crisis.”  The office issued its statement at the conclusion of its coordinating meeting in Abuja calling on the international community for aid.

“The failings of the global financial system have laid bare the dangers of placing our trust exclusively in human capacities, without resorting to divine guidance and instruction, which have led to our current situation.  We invite government agencies to identify and implement policies and programs that will effectively lessen the impact of the financial crisis on the Nigerian population,” Caritas said in its statement.

After emphasizing that the first victims of this crisis are children, Caritas denounced police officials in Enugu in eastern Nigeria for storming a hospital that had been dubbed “a baby factory” and taking the newborns of young women to sell them on the black market.

“The recent crisis in Jos has caused a significant but avoidable loss of human life as well as the destruction of property,” Caritas said, while also pointing that in the Niger Delta region “kidnappings and demands for ransom are common.”  Caritas called for peace and an end to the hostilities.