Akassa Relief Appeal.

Refugees fleeing from the war between Liama and Egweama, two of Akassa's neighbouring communities and the post-election activities of militants destroying oil pipelines in Akassa coastal territory, have resulted in much suffering for the coastal people of Akassa.

In response, the Akassa Development Foundation have launched an Emergency project to raise funds and distribute relief packages judiciously to about 5,000 displaced persons living as refugees in Akassa kingdom and to cater for about 10,000 victims of the recent oil spillage living in 22 fishing ports with the Akassa Clan Territory of Bayelsa State.

In order to alleviate the suffering of the poor majority, the Akassa National Council of Chiefs in conjunction with the Board of Trustees and Management of the Akassa Development Foundation, has put forward this proposal for a relief programme.

Download the Emergency relief proposal:

This proposal seeks to raise 8,925,285 Naira (Eu 50,000) for shelter, foodstuffs and fishing gear for the estimated 10,000 victims of the conflict and oil spillage.

Any assistance from well-meaning individuals and organizations - governmental and non-governmental - will go a long way to alleviate much of the suffering of the people.

Further Information:

The Liama and Egweama Conflict:

Liama and Egweama, like many fishing villages in the Niger Delta, remain extremely poor, despite the wealth that is generated in the region. In the midst of extreme poverty, people compete for resources need to survive. Previously clashes would be settled internally, however, as the stakes rise, so does the lengths some people will go to win control. These two communities, like many hundreds of others in the Niger Delta have now joined the ranks of those who are now prepared to enter into a bloody and destructive war in order to receive perceived benefits of oil exploration activities in the area.

"The essence of the conflict is an inter-communal dispute over land ownership, whose victor, the communities of Liama and Egweama believe, will be the one to receive potential oil benefits from the drilling in the area," says PNI Nigeria consultant Carolyn Ristau. The situation was aggravated when disaffected youths from Liama and Egweama clashed over drilling and security jobs with Emerald Energy Resources, culminating in a series of kidnappings and ambushes, which led to the deaths of 12 people in February.

The conflict escalated on April 24 2007,when Liama was attacked, allegedly by armed militants who torched half the community, returning four days later to raze the entire area. The attack forced thousands of Liama residents to flee to neighboring Akassa, most with nothing but what they could carry in their hands.

The people of Akassa have themselves experienced the effect of conflict. Akassa communities have also been attacked by neighboring communities seeking to control oil benefits. They have also for the last 10 years, experienced the benefits of a participatory development programme facilitated by PNI Nigeria. With these experiences in mind, the Akassa Development Foundation and the Akassa National Council of Chiefs mobilised to demonstrate their generosity and inclusiveness to provide makeshift accommodation and foodstuffs for the refugees.

To start with, the Akassa people shared what food and money they had with the arriving refugees but as the latter have settled where they can, often in derelict buildings and make-shift shelters, their presence has caused market prices to escalate and the refugees have begun to compete for scare resources (scarcer still now, because of the oil spill which has spread widely through the mangroves and on the beaches) for their livelihoods (e.g. periwinkles and other shellfish).

Pipeline Explosion

Compounding the problems in Akassa , there was an oil spill there after militants from the militant Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) blew up two pipelines operated by Eni affiliate Agip . A third pipeline was also hit during the attacks on May 7.

"I have reports coming in from Akassa that there is oil -- more than the usual spill -- coming slowly downstream," said Chief Bill Knight , executive director of PNI Nigeria. "As it's tidal in the mangroves, the oil goes backward and forward . before reaching the sea. So that's another worry ... how it will impact on the livelihoods of riverine , estuarine and coastal fisher folk."

In a statement Knight acknowledged that militant activity had heightened tension and mutual suspicion between the communities. But he also blamed the oil companies for failing to engage successfully with local communities.

These attacks have resulted in significant pollution of the Nun and Sangana rivers. A resident of Sangana has reported that fishing and use of river for bathing and washing was not possible We can also assume that the fishing ports now don't even have brackish water to drink.

For more information or to assist in the relief fund, please contact PNI Nigeria or email relief_fund@pronatura-nigeria.org