A Story of Resilience: ActionAid Nigeria's Intervention in Plateau State
In June 2024, ActionAid Nigeria, supported by the Start Network Fund, embarked on a rapid emergency response mission in Plateau State. It was my first field assignment with the organization, and my task was clear, document the intervention through stories and images. Armed with a camera and notebook, I set out, eager to capture the unfolding moments. But as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie aptly notes, sometimes stories shape themselves, and this one led me deep into the heart of Tilengpat Pushit, a community devastated by violence.
Gunmen had attacked the village, killing 12 people and displacing thousands. This tragedy followed earlier assaults that left over 3,000 households reeling in the Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas. Families faced immense loss—loved ones, homes, livelihoods—and urgent humanitarian aid was crucial. Responding swiftly, ActionAid Nigeria, in collaboration with Plan International and other partners, stepped in. Over a 45-day intervention, they provided food supplies, dignity kits, hygiene awareness, psychosocial support, and cash relief to alleviate suffering and help survivors rebuild.
One encounter remains etched in my mind—a woman from Mangu community, her smile masking deep pain. She had lost her husband and eldest son in the attacks. Now, she lived with her brother-in-law, raising her only surviving child. Despite her grief, she expressed gratitude for the intervention, which brought her and others a glimmer of hope amidst despair. Stories like hers were repeated across the villages, where survivors welcomed the ActionAid team with warmth and appreciation.
From the first gathering in a church hall to the final goodbyes, the intervention left an indelible mark. Families expressed their relief and gratitude, not just for the material aid but for the empathy and solidarity shown. This mission underscored ActionAid Nigeria’s commitment to standing with communities in their darkest moments, transforming stories of loss into narratives of hope and resilience.