618,000 internally displaced persons are still in various camps across Benue State, according to the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA.
The Executive Secretary/Permanent Secretary of Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Dr James Iorpuu, made the disclosure while distributing food and non-food items to various camps on Friday in Makurdi, the state capital.
He said the monthly intervention, under the directive and continued support by Governor Hyacinth Alia, is a testament to the administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and dignity of the displaced citizens.
“While we remain grateful to God for sustaining our collective efforts, I must acknowledge the persistence of the humanitarian challenges we face in the state, largely due to ongoing insecurity, especially in our border and conflict-prone communities. Yet, we have remained consistent in delivering timely interventions”, Iorpuu stated.
He announced his intention to embark on a tour of IDP camps across the state in a bid to strengthen field operations, monitor humanitarian conditions firsthand, and deepen engagement with the displaced populations in the coming weeks.
“This tour will enable me to better appreciate the conditions on the ground, interface directly with camp officials and IDPs, and identify areas where immediate and long-term interventions are needed. It is only through proximity and sincere listening that we can fine-tune our approach to durable solutions.”
Iorapuu, who is also the Permanent Secretary, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Affairs in the state, noted that in addition to ongoing field engagements, the Fr. Alia Conference Hall, a key project of Benue SEMA is about ninety percent completed, which will serve as a vital hub for humanitarian coordination, stakeholder engagement, and capacity-building sessions for SEMA staff and partners.
The SEMA boss appreciated partners from the United Nations, International and local NGOs, the media, civil society groups and other stakeholders who have continued to complement the state government’s efforts, saying efforts are on towards fostering a peaceful and harmonious environment where IDPs can coexist with host communities, promoting mutual respect and brotherhood.
Items distributed include bags of rice, beans, Indomie, Maggie, red oil, groundnut oil and sugar among others.
