By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Government in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration, IOM, have jointly initiated an empowerment and livelihood support programme for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, and host communities in the state.

The intervention which is to be implemented in partnership with the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, is aimed at ensuring sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by IDPs in the state.

The Information Offficer of Benue SEMA, Tema Ager, in a statement in Makurdi stated that in furtherance of the initiative, a high-level delegation led by the Executive Secretary of the Benue SEMA, Sir James Iorpuu visited the IDP camps in Anyiin and Ugba in Logo Local Government Area, LGA, “to conduct an impact and needs assessment.”

Addressing the people, the Executive Secretary noted the importance of livelihood opportunities as a cornerstone of the state’s durable solutions strategy under the the Governor Hyacinth Alia-led administration.

He emphasised that “the initiative underscores the shared resolve of the Benue State Government and IOM to create sustainable livelihood opportunities, fostering hope and self-reliance among displaced individuals and their host communities.”

He explained that the assessment aimed to gather firsthand information on the immediate needs of the IDPs in order to guide targeted interventions.

Iorpuu who commended the IOM and other humanitarian partners for their interventions in the state’s humanitarian situation pointed out that “the collaboration with IOM’s Rapid Response Fund would strengthen efforts to address the challenges faced by the IDPs and their host communities.”

Representative of the IOM and the Senior Emergency Response Coordinator, Hamdan Mohamed, reassured of the organization’s commitment to the collaboration with Benue SEMA explaining that “the needs assessment would uncover vital insights to shape future interventions.”

The Executive Secretary of SEMA as a gesture of goodwill presented a sewing machine to a physically challenged, Mr. Mdanu Nongo, at the Ugba IDP camp, symbolizing the commitment to empowering vulnerable individuals.

On the delegation were the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Survey, Charles Ikyaave.