From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Benue Non Governmental Organisations Network (BENGONET) has called for concerted efforts to address to huge humanitarian crisis in Benue State.
The chairman of the organisation, Mr Lazarus Mom, made this call during a media briefing in Makurdi, on Tuesday, organised by Benue NGO Networks and Civil Society Organisations in the state in collaboration with the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development, (BICD) operating under the office of the state Governor, Hyacinth Alia.
According to Mom, Benue State is challenged in three major areas; health, education as well as
sexual and gender-based violence and needed immediate attention.
Mom who commended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, for calling on international partners to intervene in Benue said “Instances of sexual and gender-based violence in IDP camps require immediate action.
“We call for concerted efforts to address issues such as rape, child and underage marriage, and human trafficking, which are affecting the vulnerable population.”
He said BENGONET comprising of over 30 NGOs, said it has spent over N200 million on humanitarian interventions in the state and called on organisations and individuals to heed the call of the Minister for immediate action.
He lamented inadequate reproductive health services for the IDPs and called for immediate measures to address limited access to prenatal and postnatal services, family planning, and adolescent pregnancies.
Mom further stated that nearly 50% of the 2.5 million IDPs in the state were children, stressing that the disruption of the children education was a critical issue.
“We urge the establishment of a systematic educational response in IDP camps and ensuring of a well-designed and professionally managed learning infrastructure.”
He recommended a Humanitarian Needs Assessment in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Benue State explaining that “Conducting a comprehensive humanitarian needs assessment is not only essential but serves as a foundational recommendation for informed and targeted interventions.
“Conduct an Organisational Capacity Assessment (OCA) of Relevant MDAs to Manage the Humanitarian Crisis, this is a systematic and thorough process aimed at evaluating the capabilities and capacities of relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) involved in managing the humanitarian crisis in Benue State.
“This assessment is crucial for identifying strengths, weaknesses, gaps, and opportunities within these organisations, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness in responding to the crisis.
“We strongly recommend the establishment of a collaborative framework that prioritises transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the utilisation of resources allocated to this critical cause.
Mom also called for regular consultations and updates between relevant government ministries, international donors, partners, and local NGOs for a coordinated and coherent approach.
While proposing the establishment of a counterpart funding scheme and the activation of anti-corruption legislations to showcase transparency, accountability, and financial prudence, he also recommended the revision of the Benue State Humanitarian Response Plan to accurately reflect the current humanitarian situation, providing a roadmap for all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Director General, BICD, Leonard-Angelo Viashima commended BENGONET and the CSO family in the state for for aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President and the state government’s agenda for driving the best and safest humanitarian space for Benue State.
Viashima said the call by the Minister was timely saying the resettlement shelters are being developed sequel to requests by locals.
He pledged that the state government is doing all that is required of them to ensure that the IDPs go back home including providing adequate security, better infrastructure, improved agriculture among others to enable them live better lives.