June 28, (THEWILL) – The Benue State Government is set to become the first state in North Central Nigeria to domesticate the National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The primary objective of the policy is to strengthen institutional mechanisms and frameworks to uphold the rights, dignity and well-being of vulnerable populations, as it aims to mitigate the impact of internal displacement and achieve durable solutions in Nigeria.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, announced this on Thursday, during the meeting on Durable Solutions; Peace/Stability and Development held in Abuja.
During a special session with development partners, Governor Alia, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Sir James Iorpuu, announced the State Government’s significant commitment to providing durable solutions for IDPs in the state.
He emphasised that the state’s proactive approach aligns with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ agenda and the global imperative to effectively address displacement challenges.
Speaking in his capacity as the Executive Secretary of BSEMA, Sir Iorpuu commended the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development for including Benue State in the National Policy on IDPs.
Sir Iorpuu highlighted the agency’s achievements over the past year, including converting seven unofficial IDP camps into full-fledged official camps, which brought the total number of IDP camps in the state to 14.
A statement signed by the Information Officer of SEMA, Mr. Tema Ager, a copy of which was made available to THEWILL, noted that these camps take care of previously neglected IDPs, with the provision of motorised boreholes, healthcare services, shelters, and the constant distribution of food and non-food items to improve their lives and those of Cameroonian refugees.
“I am delighted to inform you that the battle has been won. The North Central Region, particularly Benue State, is now included in the National Humanitarian Plan, which is strategic to finding durable solutions for internally displaced persons in the state,” Sir Iorpuu stated.
The workshop on the ‘National Action Plan (NAP) for the Implementation of the National Policy on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Spanning the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus’ saw attendance from key humanitarian partners, including the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The statement quoted the humanitarian partners as pledging to work with the Benue State Government and host communities to ensure that IDPs return to their ancestral homes in a dignified manner.
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