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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Federal Government has restated its commitment to address humanitarian challenges facing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in Benue State.
The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Mr Tijani Ahmed, stated this during the flagoff of distribution of food and non food relief materials at Ichwa IDPs camp in Makurdi.
The items distributed included, sewing machines, mattresses, food stuff and other household items.
Ahmed said the primary aim of the Federal Government was to ensure that peace and security is restored in Benue and in Nigeria so that the IDPs can return to their homes and rebuild their lives.
According to him, “The Commission is working hard to strengthen our collaboration with the state government to address the humanitarian challenges and provide durable solutions.
“The plight of our dear brothers and sisters who have been forced to flee their homes by conflict is a pressing concern.
“My dear brothers and sisters, I have seen you beaten by rain and scorched by the sun because you live in dilapidated make shift shelters. You have fled your homes and left behind your farm lands and lost your livelihoods. As a Commission, we are not oblivious of the numerous hardships you face.”
He assured that the Commission was fully committed to ameliorate their plight by supporting them continuously till they return home.
“I want to assure you that as the Federal Commissioner of The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, we are fully committed to assisting you with relief materials in the short term and livelihood restoration, housing, education for your children and healthcare for all.
“We are working with the state government to provide you with durable solution. As a gesture of our commitment, today, we will distribute some food items, non food items and empowerment materials. I assure you that we will come back to provide you with more support and more sustainable interventions,” he said.
Mr Aliyu explained that while efforts of cushioning the living conditions of IDPs in the camps was ongoing, President Bola Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda was working tirelessly to tackle the challenges of insecurity in the state and facilitate the return of the IDPs to their ancestral homes.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, said Ichwa camp had a total population of 14,229 people made up of 2403 households.
He appreciated the federal government for their gesture sating “like Oliver Twist, we ask for more.”
Also, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Mr Aondowase Kunde, said the State has 21 IDPs camps with over 2 million population as a result of herders attacks.
