Benue State in Nigeria is grappling with a humanitarian crisis fueled by ongoing herder-farmer conflicts and armed banditry, which have severely disrupted the agrarian livelihoods that sustain the region.
Currently, Benue is home to approximately 500,182 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have fled their villages due to repeated attacks.
These IDPs are accommodated in 26 camps and camp-like settings, which are managed by the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria.
On August 25, a delegation including Denmark’s Ambassador, Senior Programme Manager Hilda Ayejimiwo, Senior Security Adviser Yakubu Mohammed, IOM’s Deputy Director General Ms. Ugochi Daniels, members of the Nigerian IOM team, and the European Union delegation visited the IDP camps in Benue. They were joined by Benue State’s Executive Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
The visitors expressed appreciation for the support that Denmark provides to IOM’s vital work in Nigeria. They noted the positive impact of IOM’s efforts in improving the lives of thousands of IDPs throughout the country. The delegation also commended the active engagement and cooperation of the Benue State government in addressing the challenges faced by displaced persons.
Further emphasizing their commitment, the EU and its member states announced a new financial contribution of $1.1 million through IOM aimed at enhancing the humanitarian response. This funding is intended to help restore dignity and provide hope for the thousands of women, men, and children affected by the security challenges in the Benue region.
The visit underscored the collaborative efforts underway to address the immense needs of displaced populations within Benue State and reaffirmed international support to rebuild lives amid ongoing insecurity.
