Foundation stresses importance of sanitary pads for Maiduguri flood victims

A Bauchi-based NGO, Attah Sisters Helping Hands (ASHH) Foundation has stressed the need for sanitary pads and other menstrual hygiene products to be distributed to women and girls that are presently in camps following the devastating flooding that recently ravaged communities in Maiduguri and environs.

The observation was made by the Executive Director of ASHH Foundation, Comfort Ene Attah while speaking with Journalists in Bauchi on Sunday over the devastating effects of the flooding.

She further stressed that the move has become necessary considering the situation they found themselves in due to the flood that displaced them forcing them to live in camps.

The NGO is therefore soliciting for donations of Menstrual Hygiene Products for Women and Girls that were displaced and currently taking refuge in some camps across Borno state.

The Executive Director of ASHH Foundation also said that She was triggered to start the menstrual hygiene products campaign because of the ordeal women and girls are facing in accessing sanitary pads during their menstrual periods in the camps.

According to her, “A woman that had a miscarriage in one of the camps shared her touching story with me on how her bleeding was stopped after her miscarriage.”

“The woman informed me that it took the intervention of some women within the camp, using their headtiers as pads to control the bleeding,” She narrated.

Comfort Attah added that, “What this means is the use of unhygienic materials as sanitary pads which could cause infection for the user. This is just one woman alone. You can imagine the number of women and girls is such camps that can’t afford sanitary pads.”

“ASHH Foundation has sent some cartons of sanitary pads,, but it is grossly inadequate. That is why we are soliciting for assistance from governments , corporate bodies and well meaning individuals to procure such menstrual hygiene products for onward distribution to the women and girls in such camp”, says Comfort Attah.

The ED said that ASHH Foundation is willing to assist in sending such products across to the people in the camps stressing that it is an urgent need that should be provided.

According to her, “For more information on how to send the products to the women and girls in the camps, potential donors can reach ASHH Foundation on +2348067939429, +2349165700713 +2347067677722 . Other information for the campaign drive can be found in our fliers too”.