In response to the severe humanitarian situation in Benue State, North Central Nigeria, all humanitarian agencies in Nigeria, such as the United Nations, European Unions, and various development partners, have been called upon to urgently deploy their services.
Dr. Betta Edu, Nigeria’s Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, conveyed this appeal during her visit to the Ichiwa Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Makurdi, accompanied by the state governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia.
Dr. Edu emphasized the impossibility for both the state and federal governments to bear the burden of the 14,000 IDPs in Ichiwa, along with millions in other camps across the state. She described the current situation as unacceptable and in need of immediate concerted efforts to address.
Assuring the IDPs of President Tinubu’s commitment, she warned of the potential escalation into an unmitigated humanitarian crisis without urgent action.
Expressing her distress at the living conditions, Dr. Edu pledged the government’s efforts to build low-cost houses for displaced persons.
She called for an emergency response from all humanitarian agencies and stakeholders to remedy the unacceptable conditions in Benue.
Related Posts
The Minister emphasized that the federal government urgently requests international partners, donor agencies, including the UN, to deploy to Benue as the situation is deemed an emergency.
Highlighting the devastating humanitarian situation, Dr. Edu stressed the need for resettlement, emphasizing that Benue requires urgent humanitarian support.
While the government provides shelters and interventions, she underscored the collaborative effort needed from development partners to address the monumental crisis.
Expressing concerns about gender-based violence, especially among young girls in the camps, the Minister emphasized the urgent need for intervention.
She urged parents to protect their children and ensure their education, assuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to resettling them in their ancestral homes.
Governor Alia praised the President for fulfilling promises and commended Dr. Edu’s interventions during her visit.
He regarded her as a valuable asset to Tinubu’s government, anticipating future visits for commissioning federal government humanitarian projects in the state.
During the Minister’s visit, relief materials, including food and non-food items, were donated to the IDPs, marking efforts to alleviate their suffering.
