June 20, (THEWILL) – The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, have donated essential household materials to over two million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State.
Mr Laurent De Boeck, the Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nigeria, performed the ceremony on Wednesday, at Ichuwa IDP camp in North Bank, Makurdi.
Items donated include mattresses, gallons, blankets, mosquito nets, cooking utensils, and buckets.
De Boeck said the non-food items were to support the IDPs while they are still in the camps while the State Government and development partners execute the durable solutions.
He said the delegation, which also included members of the North-East Ambassadors Group, UN Delegation all headed by the IOM Chief of Mission, Mr De Boeck.
He called for much collaboration and cooperation between the State Government and the development partners for effective and efficient handling of the humanitarian crises in the State.
He commended the State Government for the work done so far and urged it to redouble its efforts to actualise the identified durable solutions.
Also, the United Nations (UN) donated 2,000 prepared sets of dignity kits to preserve the dignity of women and girls while in the camps.
Humanitarian/SRH Analyst, UNFPA, Dr Matthew Onoja, in his presentation, said all women, irrespective of wherever they may be, need their dignity.
Governor Hyacient Alia, while receiving the team lead by IOM’s Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Laurent De Boeck, said the State Government would on Thursday, launch the Rapid Response Fund, an initiative made possible through the collaboration of IOM and the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (USAID-BHA).
Represented by his deputy, Barr. Sam Ode, Governor Alia said their presence in the State to represent Ambassadors, High Commissioners, heads of international financing institutions, the United Nations, and other international bodies, underscored the unwavering commitment to the security, stabilisation and development of Benue State.
He commended them for their dedication to providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to the distressed Benue people.
“The Rapid Response Fund is not just a project; it is a lifeline for many in our community. It is designed to provide immediate relief and to uphold the dignity of our displaced populations by addressing urgent protection and gender-based violence (GBV) issues, improving hygiene conditions within the camps, and facilitating the closure of IDP camps on economic sites to allow business activities to resume.
“This initiative aligns with our Durable Solutions Plan, ensuring that while we provide temporary relief, our long-term commitment to sustainable solutions for IDPs remains steadfast. Your support in this endeavour is invaluable, and I am confident that together, we can create meaningful and lasting change,” he said.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Benue State Emergency Management Agency, (BSEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, said the Government has provided 89 Hectares of land at Uji and Mbakpan for Refugees farming activities in Kwande Local Government Area to promote food security and livelihood for the Cameronian Refugees residing there
Presenting the IDP situation in Benue State from July 2023 to 2024, Iorpuu said issues of trafficking of IDPs have been addressed through the construction of 42 blocks of water system toilets across 14 IDP camps.
“Total households 15,656 and individuals 54,056, employment of 84 qualified IDPs as volunteer teachers across 14 camps”.
Represented by the SEMA Project Officer, Mr James Iorhuna, the Executive Secretary said the children are 22,006 with 10,479 females and 11, 527 males.
According to him, SEMA sank one solarised borehole for IDPs in Ichuwa camp, will individuals being 3,970, households 1, 221.
He stated that despite remarkable achievements, SEMA needs support before the construction of resettlement homes and social amenities for the IDPs.
“Extension of biometric registration of IDPs to the remaining 11 local Government areas such as Ukum, Katsina-Ala, Buruku, Apa, Oturkpo, Ado, Okpokwu, Gwer East, Oju, Konshisha and Vandeikya, among others.
