Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has reiterated his administration’s commitment to addressing the root causes of insecurity and finding sustainable solutions to the ongoing displacement crisis in Benue State.
The Governor made this assertion while hosting Paolo Pace, the Regional Director of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Alexandre Castello, the Nigerian Head of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), today at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi.
Acknowledging the dire situation in Benue State, often referred to as the “food basket of the nation,” Governor Alia lamented that the state is at the forefront of displacement in Nigeria's North Central region, with approximately 1.5 million residents displaced due to persistent insecurity, revealing that over 500,000 displaced individuals currently reside in 26 camps across the state, grappling with inadequate access to water, healthcare, shelter, and security.
Highlighting his administration’s efforts to alleviate the plight of displaced persons, Governor Alia noted several achievements, which included the enrollment of over 6,000 individuals from 15 IDP camps into the state health insurance scheme, allocation of more than 70 hectares of land for shelters to restore dignity to displaced persons, and collaborative initiatives with international partners like IOM, USAID, and other donor agencies.
To promote harmony between displaced persons and their host communities, he said the state government is providing agricultural tools and training to encourage self-sufficiency, adding that these efforts aim to enhance food security, build livelihoods, and improve market access for farmers.
In education, the Governor assured that displaced children and youths are receiving access to learning opportunities within the camps, while on security, he revealed that over 5,000 civil protection guards have been deployed in partnership with conventional security agencies to ensure the safety of camp residents.
Governor Alia called for stronger coordination between the state government and donor agencies to improve shelter, sanitation, healthcare services, agricultural support, education, and camp management, and emphasized his administration’s long-term goal of returning displaced persons to their ancestral homes and restoring normalcy.
The Governor stated his resolve in providing basic services and attaining sustainable solutions to the IDP crisis, hopeful that with the steadfast support of partners like IOM and ECHO, they were illuminating a bright path for a greater future for Benue State.
In her remarks, Paolo Pace, the IOM Mission Chief, commended the state government’s proactive measures and expressed hope for the restoration of peace in the region. She assured the IOM’s commitment to supporting the displaced persons and partnering with the government for impactful humanitarian interventions.
Alexandre Castello, Head of ECHO in Nigeria, emphasized the importance of collaboration and efficient use of humanitarian funds, and called for coordinated efforts to deliver technical expertise and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
Earlier, Hon. Aondowase Kunde, Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, highlighted the negative impact of farmer-herder clashes on Benue’s food security and economy, also reaffirming the ministry’s dedication to providing emergency relief, medical aid, and capacity-building programs to restore hope and dignity to affected communities.
© Kehe Hon,
Information Officer,
Government House Makurdi.
Photo credit: Wizzy Curtis Wisdom.
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