David Arin
DAILY COURIER– The International Organization for Migration has built 1,079 shelters for Internally Displaced Persons in Benue State, alongside a newly completed water plant in Ortese Community, Guma Local Government Area, to address long-standing water scarcity in the region.
Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. James Iorpuu, disclosed this while distributing relief items to IDPs on Monday in Makurdi.
IOM’s intervention included the construction of 380 shelters at Gbajimba I Camp and 690 shelters at Gbajimba II Camp.
These efforts have freed up schools previously occupied by IDPs, enabling children to return to their classrooms.
Iorpuu commended the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for its continued support, noting that the agency recently provided four motorbikes and two laptops to boost field operations.
“Benue SEMA has also acquired new operational vehicles to ensure the efficient distribution of food and non-food items. This strengthens our capacity to reach those in need promptly, reinforcing our zero-tolerance stance on any form of diversion,” he added.
He further highlighted the nearing completion of the Fr. Alia Conference Hall, which is at the roofing stage. The hall will serve as a hub for humanitarian coordination and emergency response planning.
In collaboration with IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix team, significant progress has been made in tracking displaced populations across Benue communities.
This initiative aims to ensure comprehensive data collection for informed decision-making in humanitarian interventions.
Iorpuu revealed that a recent trip to Maiduguri led to a commitment from the World Health Organization Representative, Dr. Walter, to visit Benue State.
The visit aims to assess the healthcare needs of displaced populations and shape future health interventions.
As the distribution of food and non-food items continued, Iorpuu urged stakeholders to look beyond material support, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to restore dignity, foster resilience, and build lasting solutions for displaced communities.
“Let us continue working together to provide hope and a better future for IDPs in Benue State,” he appealed.
