By RismadarVoice Media
December 18, 2025
In the spirit of the 2025 yuletide season, Christian Association of Nigeria (Northern CAN) in partnership with a UK-based Barnabas Aid Foundation has unveiled an outreach programme to distribute essential food items to 5,000 vulnerable households across the northern region.
The initiative, which was launched on Wednesday, as a Christmas relief operations, significant humanitarian effort, targets beneficiaries mainly including widows, individuals living with disabilities, victims of religious violence, internally displaced families.
The distribution packages contain a variety of staple foods, including rice, beans, maize, garri, groundnut oil, palm oil, sugar, seasoning cubes, salt, which are intended to alleviate the financial burden on families during the festive season, to provide comfort to those who have faced hardship.
Speaking during the launch event in Kaduna, Northern CAN Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab described the programme as both a spiritual and humanitarian effort.
The Northern Christian Association has received support from Barnabas Aid to assist victims of violence, vulnerable individuals, persons with disabilities.
“We are currently targeting 1,000 families in the Chikun and Kajuru local government areas here in Kaduna,” Hayab stated.
He added that the effort extends beyond Kaduna State, reaching communities in Borno, Plateau, Benue, other northern states that have been affected by violence, displacement. More communities are expected to benefit in the coming days.
He noted that providing humanitarian aid must be paired with advocacy.
“You cannot tell people‘don’t kill’ when they are hungry. Our approach combines spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and educational support to show our communities that we are committed to their well-being,” he explained.
The 2025 Christmas relief marks one of Northern CAN’s most significant undertakings, with plans to sustain similar programmes into 2026. Altogether, the drive aims to reach 5,000 households, potentially benefiting tens of thousands of individuals, assuming an average household size of five to ten people.
According to him, beyond the holiday season, the organization plans to expand support for education, healthcare, livelihood programmes in 2026, ensuring a year-round impact on vulnerable communities.
“This is more than charity; it is an affirmation of dignity, love, care. We want people to know that they are seen, heard, valued,” he said.
It was observed that the beneficiaries who received the food parcels expressed deep gratitude. One widow, who asked not to be named, stated that the provisions would allow her to feed her children without having to choose between medicine or meals.
Another recipient, a person living with a disability, also praised the volunteers for their kindness in delivering the baskets to his doorstep.
