Kehinde Fajobi
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has revealed that recent attacks on communities in the state since December 29 have displaced over 1,000 households.
The governor shared this on Thursday while meeting officials from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) at the Government House, Makurdi.
Alia highlighted the ongoing struggles of 500,182 displaced persons living in 26 camps and 185 host communities.
“The IDPs are still faced with inadequate shelter, limited access to clean water and sanitation, insufficient healthcare services, and a lack of robust protection mechanisms,” he said.
He further noted that these hardships have led to harmful coping strategies.
“Such hardships have precipitated detrimental coping strategies, including early marriages, transactional activities, and reduced food intake, disproportionately affecting women, children, and persons with disabilities,” Alia explained.
Despite the challenges, the governor affirmed his administration’s commitment to resolving the root causes of displacement and ensuring sustainable solutions for the affected citizens.
“We have enrolled over 6,273 vulnerable individuals from 15 IDP Camps into the Benue State Health Insurance Scheme, ensuring they receive essential healthcare services that are vital for their well-being,” Alia stated.
He added, “We have allocated over 70 hectares of land and facilitated the construction of shelters, restoring dignity to 5,600 displaced households.
“This achievement has been realised through the invaluable collaboration with partners like IOM and USAID-BHA.”
Alia lamented that the attacks persist despite these efforts. He said, “According to DTM’s latest report, recent attacks have displaced over 1,000 households between December 29 to date.”
The governor assured that his administration is working tirelessly to improve the well-being of the displaced and promote peaceful coexistence between host communities and the IDPs.