International Organization for Migration decries condition of Benue IDPs

The International Organisation for Migration, IOM, has decried the deplorable condition of displaced persons in Benue State

IOM Chief of Mission, Mr Laurent DeBoeck expressed concern over the condition of the internally displaced persons, IDPs, on Thursday during the launch of the Rapid Response Fund, RRF, in Makurdi.

He said the RRF is a life saving multi-sectoral intervention aimed at supporting crisis affected populations of Benue State.

DeBoeck said with the approval of the State Government, the IOM collated IDPs data in the state not only to ascertain their number but also to identify their needs and that of their host communities for effective and efficient support.

He commended the Benue State Government and all the relevant stakeholders for their level of coordination so far.

Speaking on the benefits of the programme, Mr John Anisa, Rapid Response Fund Programme Manager, said it is a small grant mechanism that provides rapid humanitarian assistance to communities during external shocks resulting from natural and/or man-made humanitarian crisis.

Anisa said the programme, which started in Nigeria in 2023, is currently being implemented in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states through the provision of grants to national and international non-governmental organisations.

He said this is the first time the programme would be launched in North Central Nigeria and for the displaced people of Benue State.

Anisa said the exercise, which would last for six months targets shelter and settlements, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Protection and Multipurpose Cash Assistance.

He said a total of 213,640 persons would benefit from different aspects of the programme including building 6,500 emergency shelters for the displaced persons.

In a similar vein, the Mission Director United States Agency for International Development, USAID, Ms Melissa Jones said the US Government was committed to helping world’s most vulnerable people.