The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has commemorated this year’s 2024 World Humanitarian Day with the theme “Act for Humanity”. World Humanitarian Day is an annual event celebrated every 19th August which focuses on the plight of victims of humanitarian crisis such as flood, natural disasters, Internally displaced persons (IDPs).
As part of the activities to commemorate the event, the Ministry celebrated the event in Benue State. Clothings and food items were donated to one thousand five hundred and fifty nine (1559) Internally Displaced Persons IDP camps in Ugba and Anyiin located in Logo Local Government in Benue State. The Ministry officials visited the camps where the relief materials were distributed.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Abel Enitan, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the Ministry, Mrs Patience Oyekunle said, the Federal Government has heard the plight of the IDPs “They sent us to bring food supplies to you. We have 150 bags of rice, 50 bales of used clothes for you and we also brought dates,” Enitan said.
He informed the IDPs that the Ministry’s team having assessed the situation in the camps will report back to the Federal government. “We have seen with our own eyes the true situation of things. So hopefully, if we come back what we will bring will be better,” he assured.
On his part, the Chairman of Logo Local Government Council, Hon. Uzenda Benjamin, expressed appreciation to the Permanent Secretary, Mr Abel Enitan for his prompt and dedicated support in facilitating the delivery of the multimillion naira relief materials to Benue State which will benefit IDPs statewide.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry was joined by the United Nations partner agencies, UNICEF Chief, representatives of IOM, UNHCR, WHO, FJDP, NCFRMI, USAID, Rapid Response team amongst others for a 2 kilometers awareness work which commenced from Benue State government house to the State Assembly complex.
At the Assembly complex, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in the state Hon. Aondowase Kunde, emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and humanitarian workers during conflicts. He noted that 2023 was the deadliest year on record for humanitarian workers and expressed dismay that 2024 could be worse.
Speaking further the commissioner said “Mr Speaker, several of our colleagues have been killed, kidnapped, maimed and violated in the course of working for humanity especially in the North East Region of Nigeria”. As a result 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 is a day to advocate for the safety and security of aid workers and to highlight the importance of humanitarian efforts in alleviating suffering.
He urged the Benue State House of Assembly to expedite action on the passage of Durable Solutions Act before the house. According to him “If Benue State is to benefit from the Durable Solutions we ask that you and your distinguished colleagues consider a 10 percent 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.
In response the Speaker of the Benue House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh represented by the House Majority Leader, Hon. Saater Tiseer, assured of the Assembly’s readiness to support in alleviating humanitarian needs in the state. He informed that the house has passed 19 bills into law in the last one year with 3 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. He said the implementation of the 3 laws will help in solving humanitarian issues in the state while pledging that the assembly will look into the ones still pending before them.
The 2024 World Humanitarian Day was rounded up with a dinner at the Benue State government house with the team from the Ministry, representatives of CSOs, Development partners, Traditional ruler and relevant stakeholders in attendance.
Enderline Chukwu
Assistant Director Information and PR
For: Deputy Director Information
