Muslim Coalition Against Covid-19 launches ambitious relief effort that includes food and 700 health workers

NIGERIA'S Muslim Coalition Against Covid-19 has launched a radical relief operation aimed at getting essential food items to the needy and mobilising 700 health workers into the field to treat the sick.

Under the first phase, relief material will be distributed in the Federal Capital Territory, along with Rivers, Osun, Oyo and Lagos states. Medical facilities will also be sent to the states according to Dr Salisu Ismail, the chairman of the coalition's medical committee, who revealed that the health taskforce will be made up of 120 doctors, 100 pharmacists, 100 laboratory scientists, 80 health record officers, 80 environmental health workers, 70 social workers, 50 biomedical engineers and 50 support staff.

Professor AbdulRazaq Kilani, the chairman of the coalition's logistics committee, said thousands of families shall be supported with relief packages. He added that benefiting families will go home with a 6.5kg bag of rice, a 10kg bag of beans, a 5kg bag of gari, 250g of sugar and 250g of salt.

Already, efforts are ongoing to ensure that the distribution is hitch-free as the coalition is in contact with relevant government organs to facilitate movement of its workers in Lagos. Alhaji Al-Hassan Muhammad, the chairman of the government liaison said they have already asked the Federal Capital Territory authorities for passes for their volunteers and have been asked to supply their names.

Dr Ismail said: "We are deploying this nationwide to compliment government efforts. In addition to this, the coalition is making arrangements to donate PPE, test kits and ventilators to state and federal governments."

Already, the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs has endorsed the N500m relief appeal fund to bankroll the initiative. This appeal fund was launched last week and participating organisations numbering 48 have pooled about N5m into it with members of the public also contributing.

A 60-man implementation team grouped into eight committees had been named by the coalition leadership with membership drawn from the corporate sector, public service, industry and the academic to manage the entire process. Publicity committee chairman Alhaji Moshood Abiola, expressed gratitude to Lagos and Osun States governments and FCT administration for acceding swiftly to their requests and assured the public that the group will extend its kind gesture to all Nigerians Muslims and non-Muslims

Organisations in the coalition include

1. Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC)

2. The Muslim Congress (TMC)

3. Al-Usrah Inc. Port Harcourt

4. Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria.

5. Islamic Forum of Nigeria, Kano

6. Sakinah Medical Outreach

7. Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN)

8. ClearPath Islamic Centre

9. Islamic Education and Faith Initiative, Magodo, Lagos

10. The Companion

11. Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN)

12. Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative

13. University of Lagos Muslim Alumni (UMA)

14. Nigeria Aid Group of Islam

15. Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA)

16. Muslim Welfare Fund

17. Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation (ZSF)

18. Network for Democracy and Development (NDD)

19. Islamic Impact Centre

20. Association of Muslim Professionals, (AMP)

21. Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT)

22. Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association

23. NASFAT Agency for Zakat and Sadaqah (NAZAS)

24. Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP)

25. NASFAT Relief Initiative

26. The Criterion

27. Forum for Islamic Education and Welfare

28. Zakat and Awqaaf Amana Foundation

29. The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO)

30. Islamic Education Trust, Minna, Niger State

31. Islamic Mission for Africa (IMA)

32. Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI)

33. Pious Muslim Women International Organization

34. The Academy, Lagos

35. Yaba College of Technology Muslim Alumni (YMA)

36. Muslim Student Society of Nigeria

37. Pink Clinic Radio- Diagnostics Centre, Maiduguri

38. Ansar-Ud-Deen Youth Association of Nigeria (ADYAN), Lagos State Council

39. Da’wah Front of Nigeria

40. Al-Furqan Nigeria

41. Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, Abuja

42. Muslim Association of Visually Impaired of Nigeria-MAVIN

43. Al Muminaat (The Believing Women)

44. Pure Heart Islamic Foundation of Nigeria (PHF)

45. Da’wah and Guidance Bureau of Nigeria (DGBN)

46. Initiative for Muslim Sisters (IMSA)

47. The Beneficent Hands of the Ummah

48. Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU)