By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, has commenced the distribution of food and non-food items to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, and refugees in the state for the month of December.

Flagging off the exercise Monday in Makurdi, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, James Iorpuu said the event was another milestone in the agency’s shared commitment to the welfare and well-being of IDPs across the state, “including those in the Ikyogen Refugee Camp.”

While reaffirming the commitment of the agency to the wellbeing of the persons of concern in the state, the Executive Secretary said “over the past months, Benue-SEMA has taken decisive steps to enhance our emergency response and support systems for IDPs.

“One of our key achievements is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, to provide effective and continuous healthcare services to our IDPs.

“This partnership fills the critical gap left by Medecins Sans Frontieres’, MSF, exit and ensures that our displaced population continues to receive the medical care they deserve.

“We are also in the process of finalizing MoUs with the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company, BDIC, and the Benue State Bureau of Homeland Security. These partnerships too will equip BENUE-SEMA with cutting-edge technology, including a Command and Control Center for real-time monitoring, surveillance, and enhanced security management.

“We have also relocated IDPs through our partner IOM from Baka, NEPA Quarters, and parts of Ichwa camps to the newly established transit camp at Mbayongo along Gbajimba Road. This relocation aims to improve living conditions and enhance the safety and security of our displaced populations while awaiting the soon-to-launch Benue state durable solution.”

While lauding the International Organization for Migration, IOM, for recently completing the construction of a water plant at Ortese Community, thereby addressing the longstanding water scarcity in the area, he said “they also assisted us by constructing 380 shelters in Gbajimba I Camp and 690 shelters in Gbajimba II Camp, freeing up schools previously occupied by IDPs and thereby allowing our children to regain access to education.”

He commended the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, for supporting the agency with laptops and motorbikes noting that the agency had also acquired more new operational vehicles to ensure more efficient distribution of items across the state.

He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his unwavering support and commitment to the wellbeing of the persons of concern saying his “leadership and vision continue to inspire our work. We are also deeply grateful to our partners, donors, and all stakeholders who stand with us in this critical mission.

“As we distribute these food and non-food items today, let us remember that beyond these materials lies a shared hope for a better future for our displaced communities. Let us continue to work together to restore dignity, foster resilience, and build lasting solutions for our IDPs.”

Items being distributed to the persons of concern included about 2,225 bags of 25kg rice, 1,395 bags of 10 kg beans, 2,205 bags of 50kg maize, 836 bags of garri, 2,894 cartons of noodles, 1,445 bags of sugar, 186 bags of salt and 197 gallons of palm oil among other items.