Agency
The United Nations Development Programme has raised concern over the continuous increase in the number of Internally Displaced Persons in Benue, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
The situation was made known by the UNDP representative in Benue, Adewole Oke, on Thursday in Makurdi while delivering a goodwill message during the presentation of the Benue Framework toward addressing humanitarian challenges in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the one-day event was organised by the Benue State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and had in attendance Civil Society Organisations, IDPs and Journalists as participants.
Oke noted that over the years, the number of IDPs in the four states, comprising mainly of women, the youth and other marginalised groups, had increased, promising however, through a combined effort of all UN agencies, the socio-economic impact of internal displacement and a framework designed for a more developmental approach toward resolving internal displacement in Benue would be considered.
He added, “Over the years, the number of IDPs in Benue, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa have doubled, particularly women, the youths and marginalised groups.
“This has affected children going to school, men who tend to feed their families and women who strive to make their homes peaceful.
“We are not just going to stop at interventions without addressing the root causes; internal displacement requires long-term, integrated and gender-responsive development solutions.
”Through a human development approach, we have proposed to renew and create a synergy between displaced citizens and the state.”
Oke also assured that his organisation would restore human dignity toward ensuring a safer Benue where citizens would coexist peacefully.
“Restoring your human security and dignity will be at the heart of rebuilding a prosperous and safer Benue.
”Let us work together to make this ambition a reality. No one can solve the problem alone,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Benue Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde, explained that the workshop was aimed at developing a framework for a strategic committee toward generating durable solutions that would address its current challenges.
He further said it is meant to identify the needs of the IDPs and those of communities affected by the crisis in the state.
Kunde assured that the state government was doing everything possible to ensure the safe return of all IDPs to their ancestral homes, adding, “The ongoing situation in Benue highlights the broader humanitarian challenges within Nigeria.
“The plight of the IDPs in Benue serves as a call to action for the Federal Government and the international community to step in and provide the necessary support for these individuals to safely return to their homes in peace.”
Speaking later, some of the IDPs who were at the event lamented the absence of basic facilities, such as basic healthcare, potable water, and schools at the camps.
They also appealed to the state and federal government to enhance security at the camps and empower more women and the elderly with reliable skills.
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