By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has commenced the distribution of food and non-food relief items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the state as part of a N1.275billion humanitarian intervention supported by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Nasarawa State Government, United Bank for Africa (UBA), and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Speaking during the distribution exercise, the Secretary to the Benue State Government (SSG) and head of the technical committe implementing the intervention, Mrs. Deborah Aber, said it was originally targeted at victims of the Yelewata attack but had since been extended to IDP camps and host communities across the state.

Represented by the Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde, the SSG noted that “the distribution coincided with the Christmas season of 2025, a period that symbolises hope, love, compassion and renewed faith in humanity.”

Mrs. Aber disclosed that the intervention covers several components, including food and non-food item distribution, resettlement, conditional cash transfers, water and sanitation, agriculture and education.

According to her, out of 50 houses earmarked for construction under the resettlement programme in Yelewata, 20 had already been completed.

“Activities are ongoing in the areas of resettlement through the construction of new houses, conditional cash transfers to 1,000 beneficiaries across camps and host communities, and WASH interventions, which have already delivered three boreholes in Yelewata,” she said.

She explained that the items being distributed were largely drawn from the food and nutrition component of the First Lady’s Renewed Hope initiative, which complements the humanitarian efforts of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration.

“Today’s distribution is largely from the food and nutrition component of the generous donation by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope intervention has strengthened ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Benue State,” Aber noted.

The SSG listed food items procured to include rice, maize, beans, garri, vegetable oil and condiments, while non-food items include blankets, mats, toiletries and other household essentials. She stressed that the process was transparently managed through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and partners such as IOM, UNHCR, civil society organisations and the media.

“In complementing this noble gesture, strategic contributions were made to ensure that transparency translated into tangible relief items that directly address the basic household needs of IDPs,” she said.

Mrs. Aber also acknowledged the support of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, describing its donation of food and non-food items as a major boost to the state’s response capacity.

Beyond emergency relief, she highlighted longer-term interventions, including the commencement of a large water treatment plant in Naka, Gwer-West Local Government Area.

“This critical infrastructure will provide access to safe and clean water not only for IDPs but also for host communities. It is a sustainable intervention that promotes public health, human dignity and peaceful coexistence,” she said.

Reaffirming the commitment of the state government, Aber assured displaced persons that they had not been forgotten.

“The Benue State Government remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting you through sustained interventions focused on resettlement, livelihood restoration, access to basic services and improved living conditions,” she said.

She urged all stakeholders to uphold fairness and transparency in the distribution process and expressed gratitude to all donors and partners.

Also the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs/SEMA, Dr. James Iorpuu said over 7,000 bags of rice would be distributed to the IDPs among other food and non-food items.

He also assured that the intervention would be judiciously distributed hinting that the item would reach effected persons in places like Otukpo, Agatu and Ohimini LGAs that had no IDPs camps streasing that the material would be handed over to the First Class Chiefs in the said LGAs with the involvement of stakeholders for onward distribution.