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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), has concluded plans to commence empowerment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State, to give them a source of livelihood.
The Chief of Mission for IOM, Paula Pace disclosed this on Friday when she visited Ortese IDPs Camp in Guma Local Government Area of the state to assess the IDPs situation.
Pace, who was accompanied by officials of Benue State government, noted that the organisation, while focusing on humanitarian response and identifying the root causes of the crisis, would first empower the IDPs economically, as well as tackle the root causes of the crisis. She also assured that IOM would mobilise more partners in 2025 to do more for the state in terms of “potential peace building, strengthening not just emergency response, but also prevention”.
She expressed happiness to see that the living conditions of the IDPs has improved since their arrival, saying their motoring team would arrive in February to assess what they have done so far. According to her, going forward, IOM would focus on covering some of the gaps identified.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde said Governor Hyacinth Alia was determined to bring life back to the IDPs. Kunde said that the launching of the Durable Solutions Action Plan for the IDPs which comes up on January 24, 2025 would mark the beginning its implementation
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, commended IOM for building a dam and lifting water to residents who live a distance of four kilometers and for the IDPs at Ortese Camp.
