Humanitarian organisations including ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), Plan International, Christian Aid, and Start Network have issued an urgent warning concerning heightened insecurity in Benue State, which has displaced over 1.4 million people.
During a press conference in Makurdi, the state capital, leaders such as Country Director of AAN, Andrew Mamedu, and Country Director of Plan International, Charles Usie, stressed the critical need for international attention to the long-running crisis, which they claim has been underreported.
Mamedu, represented by the Action Aid Manager for Humanitarian Resilient, David Habba, highlighted the gravity of the situation, comparing it to the crises in the North East and North West areas.
“With what is happening in Benue State, people may not have villages to retire to when they grow old, but there is also the loss of culture that comes with it. If we fail to act now, I am afraid that by 2030, we will have lost a generation, and it may take up to 50 years to recover from it.”
“The toll of these conflicts on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary people cannot be overstated. Families have been torn apart, homes destroyed, and futures shattered. The trauma and suffering endured by those affected are profound and long-lasting, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable peace-building and conflict resolution efforts,” Mr. Habba said.
Also, Director of Programme Quality and Influencing, Helen Idiong, who represented Country Director Plan International, disclosed that they have supported displaced people from Benue State’s Apa, Agathu, Kwande, Logo, and Ukum local government areas with funding from Start Fund Network.
She said that in the last 45 days, 3,806 homes, totalling 26,179 individuals, received unconditional cash transfers of N50,000 or N60,000, while 3,506 households, totalling 24,297 people, received non-food goods; 1,100 girls and women received dignity kits; and 2,777 people received psychological first aid.
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