FIC Report (Benue State) – The Benue State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to alleviating the suffering of displaced persons across the state through the distribution of food and non-food items to 15 official IDP camps.
The flag-off ceremony, held on Monday, 10th November 2025, was marked by a speech delivered on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management / Benue State Emergency Management Agency (Benue-SEMA), Sir James Aondoakaa Iorpuu, PhD, by Dr. Donald Komgbenda.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary noted that the exercise reflects the unwavering commitment of the Benue State Government under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, to bring hope, relief, and dignity to displaced populations in the state.
Sir Iorpuu emphasized that while the challenges facing internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain enormous, Governor Alia has continued to demonstrate compassion and determination in addressing their plight through practical and people-centered interventions.
He stated that beyond meeting immediate humanitarian needs, the administration is implementing deliberate and strategic measures to restore livelihoods and rebuild communities. These include the biometric review and issuance of new IDP identity cards for proper documentation and inclusion.
The Permanent Secretary further disclosed that through partnerships with development agencies such as the UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Benue-SEMA has facilitated several projects. These include the drilling of solar-powered boreholes in returnee communities like Tatyough in Makurdi LGA, and the construction of a water treatment plant at Naka Dam to address water scarcity affecting the Naka IDP Camp and surrounding host communities.
“These efforts mirror Governor Alia’s Renewed Hope vision, one that seeks not just to provide relief but to restore dignity, promote self-reliance, and ensure the safe and sustainable return of our displaced populations,” Sir Iorpuu stated.
He expressed deep appreciation to international and local partners, sister ministries, departments, and agencies for their continued collaboration, noting that their support remains crucial to the success of the state’s humanitarian response.
As the distribution exercise commenced, the Permanent Secretary urged all Benue-SEMA staff, security personnel, and the media to uphold transparency, fairness, and accountability, ensuring that every item reaches its rightful beneficiary.
Items distributed to the IDPS included 2300 25kg of Rice, 600 bags of Beans
1600 cartons of indomie
150 Gallon of palm oil Maggi 140 cartons, salt 160 bags and 160 gallons of Groundnut oil.
He concluded by thanking all partners and stakeholders for their steadfast commitment to humanity, while reacting to journalists during the briefing Komgbenda said IDPs will be provided with resettlements Homes and adequate security before they can be returned to their ancestral homes
Signed
VERONICA AZEMBA
For Head of Center FIC Makurdi
