Khadijat Yusuf
Benue
In a bid to cushion the effect of poverty bring smile to the faces of internally displaced persons the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has donated food supplies and clothing to 1559 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in camps across Benue State.
This gesture, is Part of activities to commemorate the 2024 World Humanitarian Day across Ugba and Ayinn IDP camps in Logo Local government area of Benue State.
Speaking during the exercise, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Patience Oyekunle, who represented the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abel Enitan, said the move was part of the federal government's response to their plight.
They Director while distributing the relief materials Said, “They sent us to bring food supplies to you. We have 150 bags of rice for you, 50 bales of used clothes, and we also brought dates," Oyekunle said.
In furtherance of the gesture, the ministry's team assessed living condition in the IDP camps and promised to report back to the federal government.
"We have seen with our own eyes the true situation of things. We will go back and tell them what we saw. So, hopefully, if we come back, what we will bring will be better," Oyekunle assured the IDPs.
Earlier, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation were joined by United Nations partner agencies; UNICEF and IOM, UNHCR, WHO, FJDP, NCFRMI, USAID Rapid Response Fund, among others for a 2 kilometers awareness walk, which commenced at the gate of Government House to the State Assembly complex.
On his part, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon Aondowase Kunde, urged the Benue State House of Assembly to expedite passage of Durable Solutions Act before the House.
He emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and humanitarian workers during conflicts, citing the theme of the 2024 World Humanitarian Day, "Act for Humanity."
The Commissioner noted that 2023 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers and expressed concern that 2024 could be even worse.
“Mr Speaker several of our colleagues have been killed, maimed, kidnapped or violated in the course of acting for humanity especially in the North East Region of Nigeria.
“World Humanitarian Day is an opportunity for us to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of humanitarian workers who risk their lives to assist others. It’s a day to advocate for the safety and security of aid workers and to highlight the importance of humanitarian efforts in alleviating suffering.”
He requested that the House consider allocating 10% of the upcoming budget to support the implementation of durable solutions in the state.
Kunde said, “If Benue State is to benefit from the durable solutions we ask that you and your distinguished colleagues consider a 10% allocation of the upcoming budget to enable His Excellency support the implementation of the durable solutions in the State come 2025 while soliciting for the support of the partners."
Responding, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, who was represented by the House Majority Leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer, assured of the assembly’s readiness to give support in alleviating humanitarian needs in the state.
He said the house has passed 19 laws in the last one year with three of them, the Benue Investment Promotion Law, Law to Establish Benue Youth Development Agency, as well as the Benue State Civil Protection Law, all targeting at addressing humanitarian crisis in the state.
While pledging that the assembly will look into the ones still on their table, Tiseer said the implementation of the three laws will help in solving humanitarian issues in the state.
The Chairman of Logo Local Government Council, Hon. Uzenda Benjamin, also appreciated the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Enitan, for his prompt and dedicated support in facilitating the delivery of the relief materials to Benue State.
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