From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Benue state government with support from United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (USAID-BHA) and International Organization for Migration (IOM), has launched the Rapid Response Fund (RRF) to attend to the needs of vulnerable population of the state.
The Rapid Response Fund (RRF), is an umbrella grant and initiative driven by IOM and generously funded by USAID – BHA to support ongoing efforts of Benue state government to address the complex humanitarian crises facing the state.
During implementation, total of 213,640 persons would benefit from different aspects of the programme including building 6,500 emergency shelters for the displaced persons in the state.
Speaking during the launch on Thursday in Makurdi, Chief of Mission IOM, Mr Laurent De Boeck explained that the RRF is a life saving multisectoral intervention aimed at supporting the crisis affected populations of Benue State.
He said during their first visit to the State, IOM discovered that the living conditions of displaced persons in the State was unacceptable.
He said with the approval of the State Government, they collated IDPs data in the State not only to know their number but also to identify their needs and that of their host communities for effective and efficient support.
He commended the Benue State Government and all the relevant stakeholders for their level of coordination so far pledging to contribute their quota to ensure they vulnerable people live well.
Speaking on the benefits of the programme, Rapid Response Fund Programme Manager, Mr John Anisa, said the Fund is a small grant mechanism that provides rapid humanitarian assistance to communities during external shocks resulting from natural and/or man-made disasters.
Anisa said the programme which started in Nigeria in 2023 was currently being implemented in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States through the provision of grants to national and international Non-Governmental Organisations.
He said this was the first time the programme would be lunched in North Central Nigeria and for the displaced people of Benue State.
He said the exercise which would last for six months targets shelters and settlements, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Protection and Multipurpose Cash Assistance.
Also the Mission Director U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Ms Melissa Jones said the US Government was committed to helping world’s most vulnerable people.
Represented by Mr Patrick Robin, Senior Humanitarian Advisor, Ms Jones said USAID spends N333m annually providing life saving humanitarian assistance to displaced persons in North East and North West Nigeria.
“USAID is lunching its first humanitarian response in the North Central region to respond to the needs of IDPs affected by inter communal conflicts, herders/ farmers clashes and external shocks in Benue State.” she said
Ms Jones further commended IOM for championing the project that sort to provide the immediate needs of IDPs in Benue.
She commended the Benue Government for developing a durable solutions plan that seeks lasting solutions to the problems of IDPs in Benue and their safe return to either their homes or safe areas.
The Benue state Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia appreciated the unwavering support of USAID – BHA, the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF), and implementing partners, IOM, UNFPA, UNHCR, and the entire UN body for their
invaluable contributions expressing hope for the success of this initiative.
He noted that the state has faced significant challenges over the years including massive internal displacements due to armed conflict, direct violence against civilians, widespread insecurity, environmental disasters, and migration related to agricultural and livelihood activities, banditry and pledged to support the RRF project by facilitating a conducive environment for humanitarian organizations to fulfill their mandates.