FG, Benue State Govt seek support of communities to resettle IDPs

The Federal government in collaboration with Benue state government have commenced the processes to resettle Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs), in the state.

In that regard, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon Betta Edu and officials of the Benue State Government led by Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Benue, Hon Aondowase Kunde, has carried out a joint visit to some selected IDPs camp in Kwande and Logo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

The Minister who was represented by the National Programme Manager, Renewed Hope Shelter for the Poor, Refugees and IDPs, Hon. Chidimma Makuachukwu, was received in Benue State by the Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr Aondowase Kunde recently, expressed the concerns of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the plight of the IDPs in the State, stressing that the provision of shelter in a safer environment is one of the measures put in place by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to renew the vulnerable populations. 

“One of the cardinal objectives of the Renewed Hope Shelter Program is to assist the IDPs in returning to their ancestral homes in a dignified manner while ensuring that the safety of the people is not compromised. This underscores collaboration with State Governments.”

The National Program Manager of Renewed Hope Shelter for the Poor, Refugees, and Internally displaced persons noted that the objective of the two-day Benue state need assessment was to; visit the IDP hosting communities and IDP camps in Benue state, Interact with the stakeholders including the State Government, Traditional rulers, and the IDPs, visit the proposed land donated by the Benue State Government in conjunction with the traditional rulers to determine its suitability for the Renewed Hope Shelter Project, assess the willingness of the displaced IDPs to return to their ancestral homes in dignity and as well as analyze the supporting infrastructure around the proposed sites, such as schools, Healthcare centers, electricity sources, access roads, and proximity to markets among others.

Delivering the Renewed Hope Goodwill Message From the Honourable Minister, Dr. Betta Edu; “The Honorable Minister Dr. Betta Edu has promised and is committed to include the Internally Displaced persons into the various empowerment programs to be rolled out by the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and has commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for affirming to the need, to resettle the IDPs and for providing all necessary support to achieve Renewed Hope Shelter in Benue State” Dr. Betta Edu extended

In a remark, the state’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management urged the displaced communities to support the federal and state governments as they begin plans to resettle IDPs in the state.

Kunde said the joint visit to the most hit IDP camps by the Federal Government was a demonstration of the commitment of President Tinubu to support the resettlement plan of the state government.

The IDP camps and Districts visited during the two-day need assessment includes; Moon District, Yaav District, Jato-Aka District, Anyiin District, Ichuwa IDP camp, Duudu IDP 1&11 camps, Ukpan IDP camps, Ortese IDP camp, Naka IDPs camp, and Agatu IDPs camp.