FIC Report (Benue State) – The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (Benue SEMA) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable communities across the state through the monthly distribution of food and non-food items to residents in the 15 IDP camps and host communities in Benue State.
Speaking during the distribution exercise on Thursday, 7th May, 2026, the Executive Secretary of Benue SEMA, Sir James Iorpuu, PhD, expressed profound appreciation to the Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, for his sustained funding and unwavering support to the agency.
According to the agency, the Governor’s commitment has continued to strengthen emergency response mechanisms in the state and enabled prompt interventions aimed at addressing the needs of displaced and vulnerable populations.
Benue SEMA noted that the continuous support from the Benue State Government demonstrates leadership, compassion, and dedication to the welfare of affected persons across the state.
The agency also commended the resilience, patience, and courage of displaced persons and vulnerable families living in camps and host communities despite the difficult conditions they continue to face.
Benue SEMA further appreciated humanitarian and development partners, both local and international, for their sustained collaboration and commitment toward supporting communities in need of humanitarian assistance.
Special appreciation was extended to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its timely interventions and continued support to vulnerable populations in Benue State.
The agency particularly acknowledged UNHCR for facilitating funding support from the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF) targeted at assisting vulnerable persons in Guma and Makurdi Local Government Areas.
According to the agency, the intervention will significantly improve the living conditions of affected households and further strengthen humanitarian response efforts in the benefiting communities.
Benue SEMA also expressed satisfaction with the ongoing collaboration involving the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) aimed at strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) mechanisms in local communities across the state.
The agency stated that the initiative will enhance local emergency management structures and provide critical training for grassroots emergency volunteers, thereby improving preparedness, resilience, and community-based emergency response systems.
Benue SEMA equally appreciated Benue State Government agencies working closely with the agency, members of the media for amplifying awareness and support, truck owners engaged in logistics operations, associations of loaders, and SEMA staff for their dedication and sacrifices in sustaining effective humanitarian response operations in the state.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to discharging its responsibilities with integrity, transparency, honesty, and accountability while ensuring that all support entrusted to the agency reaches the intended beneficiaries.
Benue SEMA also appreciated the media for their continued partnership and support toward humanitarian efforts in Benue State.
Items distributed during the exercise include:
2,695 bags of rice
685 bags of beans
466 bags of garri
762 cartons of Indomie noodles
40 gallons of 25-litre groundnut oil
125 gallons of palm oil
32 cartons of seasoning cubes
450 mats
19 bags of salt
115 bags of sugar
The relief materials are to be distributed across affected communities and IDP camps in the state.
VERONICA AZEMBA
For Head of Centre, FIC Makurdi
