Alia lauds global partners for humanitarian support in Benue
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has commended the collaborative efforts of international communities working alongside the Benue State government to address the complex challenges facing the state.
Governor Alia made the commendation on Thursday at the Government House when he received a courtesy visit from the Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Paula Pace, and the Head of European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Operations (ECHO), Alexander Castelano.
The governor explained that, as the food basket of the nation, Benue has been at the forefront of the humanitarian crisis since 2018. Over 1.5 million people have been displaced from their ancestral homes due to attacks by armed herders and environmental disasters, such as flooding.
He outlined several challenges faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs), including inadequate shelter, limited access to clean water, poor sanitation, and insufficient healthcare services. These conditions, he noted, have led to harsh coping mechanisms, such as early marriages, transactional activities, and reduced food intake, which particularly affect children, women, and persons with disabilities. Governor Alia stressed that these challenges require innovative solutions for lasting resolution.
The governor also highlighted the state government’s interventions for IDPs, revealing that over 6,000 displaced persons have been enrolled in the state’s health insurance scheme to ensure they have access to essential healthcare services.
Additionally, he disclosed that more than 5,000 civil protection guards are working alongside conventional security agencies to provide security at various IDP camps. Efforts are also underway to provide displaced children and youths with access to learning programmes within the camps.
Governor Alia further called on IOM and ECHO to assist in the areas of healthcare services, camp management, shelter, sanitation services, agricultural inputs, education opportunities for displaced children, and safety measures for children, women, and persons with disabilities.
Earlier, Paula Pace, Chief of Mission of IOM, and Alexander Castelano, Head of ECHO, commended the efforts of the state government in addressing its significant humanitarian needs and pledged their continued support to help alleviate the suffering of displaced persons.
According to Nigerian NewsDirect, the Governor later led the IOM and ECHO delegations on a visit to several IDP camps for an assessment.
