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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has expressed immense gratitude to Christian Aid Nigeria, an international development and humanitarian response organization, for regularly extending a hand of support to the vulnerable population in Benue state.
The Governor gave this thanks during the launch of N500 million fund and distribution of relief materials for Benue IDPs in Makurdi.
Alia who was represented by Director General, Bureau for International Corporation and Development (BICD), Dr Leo-Angelo Viashima, appreciated the Country Director of Christian Aid Nigeria and the funders, Start Fund Network and the implementing partner for their intervention.
He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the cash and other relief materials given to them by the organization.
Our correspondent reports that the critical initiative is set to provide vital support to IDPs in the State, particularly those affected by the recent devastating armed herdsmen attacks in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area.
The program officially commenced on Tuesday, 30th July, 2025, at the Daudu Two IDP Camp in Guma LGA, signaling the rollout of a comprehensive support system for IDPs in three designated camps across Makurdi and Guma LGAs.
Speaking during the event, the Project Lead for the Start Fund Project in Benue State and a Programme Officer for Christian Aid, Chinelo Mokwe, detailed the core components of the intervention and confirmed that financial assistance would be directly disbursed to 1,500 households through cash transfers, with each selected family receiving N109,000.
She said Christian Aid has facilitated the opening of personal bank accounts for these beneficiaries to ensure efficient and secure distribution of funds.
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Beyond monetary aid, Mokwe said the intervention encompasses the distribution of essential non-food items including mattresses, bathing and washing soaps, detergent, and mosquito nets.
She further explained that each household will receive dignity kits, thoughtfully assembled to include personal hygiene necessities such as a wrapper, towel, slippers, sanitary pads, and pampers, addressing critical needs often overlooked in humanitarian responses.
Mokwe further emphasized that Christian Aid’s widespread operational capacity, highlighting its interventions in 19 states across Nigeria.
She noted that the intervention, primarily funded by the Start Fund Network, marks a significant commitment by Christian Aid to alleviate the sufferings of vulnerable populations in the state.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir James Iorpuu appreciated Christian Aid Nigeria for their intervention.
Iorpuu who spoke through the Manager of Daudu IDP Camp, Mr. Noel Numbe expressed worries over the growing number of IDPs following the Yelwata attacks saying the donated materials would bring immense relief to the IDPs.
The Country Director of Christian Aid Nigeria, Temitope Fashola, received commendation for her leadership in repositioning the organization, which has evidently fostered the confidence of the Start Fund Network to provide such substantial funding.
He also lauded the Ohunyeta Care Givers, an NGO for their role in bringing the plight of the Yelwata attack victims to the forefront, thereby enabling this crucial intervention.
