The Benue State Government on Friday, began rolling out intervention materials and programmes funded through donations received after violent attacks on Yelwata community and other affected areas of the state.
Yelwata and several other communities had come under deadly assaults allegedly carried out by suspected armed herders, leaving many residents displaced and dependent on humanitarian assistance.
The Yelwata attack, which occurred in June, drew widespread sympathy and support from individuals, organisations and governments across the country.
Among the notable contributions was the N1 billion donation made by the wife of the President, Senator Remi Tinubu.
In its address, the Technical Committee overseeing the implementation of the intervention disclosed that a total of N1.275 billion was mobilised from donors, including individuals, state governments and corporate bodies, following the Yelwata incident.
Speaking to the media, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Deborah Aber, announced that the disbursement exercise would span one week, beginning with the distribution of food and non-food relief items to internally displaced persons (IDPs) on Friday.
She explained that housing construction for a cluster settlement is already underway in Yelwata, while 1000 displaced persons have been selected to benefit from a conditional cash transfer programme.
According to her, “Beyond the distribution of relief items, these collective donations have enabled other notable interventions aimed at improving the dignity and well-being of IDPs.
“These include enhanced nutrition support for vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as the reinforcement of camp-level support services.
“One particularly outstanding outcome of our broader collaboration with partners is the commencement of a gigantic water treatment plant in Naka, Gwer-West Local Government Area.
“This critical infrastructure will provide access to safe and clean water not only for IDPs but also for surrounding host communities. It stands as a long-term, sustainable intervention that promotes public health, human dignity, and peaceful coexistence.
“Also, some of you are already aware of the activities ongoing in the areas of food and non-food material distribution, Resettlement (Construction of new Houses for a cluster settlement already ongoing in Yelewata, Conditional Cash Transfer to 1000 beneficiaries across the Camps and host communities, WASH (which already drilled 3 boreholes in Yelewata) Agricultural Support, Education, among others.”
The SSG reiterated that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia has remained focused on protecting the welfare, safety and dignity of displaced residents, stressing that the government is determined to move from short-term emergency relief to long-lasting solutions to displacement.
She also expressed appreciation to all donors and partners who supported the humanitarian response to the crisis in Benue State.
