Emotional Healing for Child Victims of Terrorism

As informed and compassionate donors, you are likely aware that US service members were killed in Niger in the fight against terrorism. As a consequence of US immigration policies prejudicial against it, Chad had recently withdrawn their long-term and extremely valuable troops who have been extremely loyal to the fight against religious radicalism in the area. 

Since the withdrawal of Chad, Boko Haram attacks have increased in the area, and several Nigerian police and military members who served as our protection have been killed. Children who have become orphans at the hands of Boko Haram are even more vulnerable to recruitment by Boko Haram due to lack of life-sustaining resources. These young children, mostly girls, are increasingly becoming suicide bombers as an alternative to a painful death by starvation. 

Although the need for life sustaining food is critical in Nigeria, any funds spent at this time on such items is subject to theft and corrupt practices. ICEHA cannot assure the safety of our Nigerian team to deliver the items personally, so we are temporarily suspending our settlement visits until we have the funding necessary to move the children to safety and assure their health issues are addressed. 

We have established wonderful relationships with Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Lagos and Abuja, and continue to provide food, clothing and education as funding is available. We also continue to develop our Healing Through Art program to address evolving issues facing the vulnerable survivors of Boko Haram who face new challenges as they try to integrate into new communities. Fortunately, the rescue of many of the Chibok girls has instilled renewed and hope and enthusiasm in the IDP's as well as our staff and volunteers 

Our immediate goal is to raise $10,000 USD to move 30 orphans who will be cared for by IDPs in Lagos and Abuja, and to provide for their care. We also need to raise an additional $10,000 to purchase farm lands in the Lagos area so these previously professional farmers can again provide food for their communities. This is the most sustainable way to fight against hunger and abuse!

We thank you for your continued concern and support as we further our fight against terrorism by empowering victims and working to eliminate Boko Haram's recruitment pool.

Links:

• BBC Report on Chad and the Fight Against Boko Haram
• Yesterday's Attack in Borno - The Latest in Renewed Attacks

Friends,

I wish I could write to tell you that all of our children are doing great. I would love to write to tell you we have enough funds to provide HTA to even more children. How excited I would be to announce that Boko Haram is on its knees and the terror has ceased. Maybe next time I can write that note to you.

For today's update, I can simply tell you that the terrorist attacks continue, children continue to be used as suicide bombers, and our funds continue to run low.  This last quarter, we continued to spend finds on life saving treatments for critical patients, food and clothing to many displaced persons, and small HTA events with the neediest children. We continue to see great psycho-social healing results with those we have been able to reach with our programs. But the need continues to increase exponentially.

Some of our beneficiaries were squatting on private land and were recently removed. They have scattered and     we hear that many planned to return to Borno state. With Boko Haram conducting recent attacks, we are concerned for the well-being of the children and families we got to know and love. 

Our team has been able to maintain close contact with our other beneficiaries --- even receiving telephone calls and text messages regarding births in the settlement or other family celebrations. However, due to lack of funding, we have been unable to visit as frequently as we would like, or as often as the children need us. We hope this is a temporary lag and look forward to a prosperous next quarter. The children are depending upon us and we could really use your help. We immediately need to raise 12,000 USD for the next three months. Please forward this along to anyone you think might be interested in helping us to heal these children from the wounds of war.

Our hearts remain hopeful all of our beneficiaries are safe and that we can deliver better news to you next time!

Thanks for all you do,