Catholic Church Rehabilitates Victims of Jos Violence

The Justice Development and Peace Commission, JDPC, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos has said it has provided succour to 2,255 internally displaced persons from Jos violence.
The body made this disclosure on Thursday, during an annual presentation of its report to the 12th General Assembly of the Archdiocese, held at Pictorial Center in Jos, Plateau State.
According to the report, at the insecurity prone communities most affected by various riots, the Commission rebuilt burnt houses and empowered women and the youth with soft loans.
However, the Commission expressed its disappointment that most beneficiaries of the loans could not refund the monies, thereby making it difficult to assist other victims.
The report also said the Commission depended on well-meaning individuals, the church and other organisations for funds to carry out it humanitarian services.
Briefing journalists on its achievement and challenges in the past 13 years of it establishment, the Commission’s Coordinator, Benedicta Daber, said the JDPC has expended more than N60 million in the rehabilitation of victims of the Jos violence across the state.
According to her, the Commission was present in the 17 council areas of Plateau State, and has rehabilitated victims who were displaced by the violence.
“JDPC was established in 2001, after the crisis. We are present in the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, from our three dioceses. We are building long term peace in the state. Muslims are also members of our commission,” she said.
Mrs. Daber stressed that the Commission was an interfaith organisation and intervened in the various clashes that befell both Muslims and Christians, provided relief materials and rehabilitated survivors of clashes.
Commenting on its activities, the Archbishop of Jos Archdiocese, Ignatius Kaigama, said the JDPC had positively touched the lives of the less privileged since its establishment.
“JDPC here in Jos is one of the most effective and active in Nigeria, and has done so well,” he said.
The cleric called on other commissions of the Catholic Church to embark on programs that would assist the masses, particularly the rural poor. He pleaded with the laity to donate to the commission to enable it assist the less privileged in the society.
The 12th General Assembly of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos began on Monday and would to end on Friday