Benue Emergency Management Boss seeks stronger collaboration to support displaced persons

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management/Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, has called for stronger cooperation among humanitarian stakeholders to tackle the growing challenges faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue and the North Central region.

He made the appeal during a strategic engagement session with a consultant working on the development of Nigeria’s National Strategy on Durable Solutions for Internal Displacement.

The meeting also included representatives from the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The visit was in recognition of Sir James Iorpuu’s leadership in the humanitarian sector and aimed at aligning Benue State’s ongoing efforts with the national strategy for addressing internal displacement.

While responding to inquiries about Benue State’s long-term approach to internal displacement, Iorpuu stated that the current administration is focusing on sustainable empowerment through agriculture and livelihood support.

He explained that the state government is actively supporting IDPs by providing agricultural inputs, promoting farming, and integrating them into local economic activities.

He also revealed that over 200 cooperative societies have been established among displaced persons, and about 280 hectares of land have been allocated for farming projects aimed at long-term empowerment.

In a joint remark, NCFRMI Consultant Mubarak Yusuf and UNDP Representative Emmanuel Aisiku commended BSEMA’s proactive strategies and confirmed that Benue State’s Durable Solutions Plan will be integrated with the national framework to ensure a well-coordinated and effective implementation.

Additionally, Bashir A. Yusuf, Zonal Coordinator of NCFRMI for the North Central region, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to continued collaboration with Benue State in addressing internal displacement issues.