An indication has emerged that about 1.4million people in Benue State have been internally displaced as a result of the incessant conflicts, farmer-herders clashes, and bandits attacks in the state.
The Country Director of ActionAid Andrew Mamedu said this during a joint press briefing with Plan International to draw the attention of the international community to the age-long crisis that has been underreported.
Mamedu said at the last count an estimated 1.4million people had been displaced in the state.
Mamedu who was represented by the Action Aid Manager for Humanitarian Resilient David Habba claimed that the spate of insecurity in Benue state is worse than what is happening in the North East and the North East.
He said, “With what is happening in Benue state people may not have villages to retire to when they grow old, there is also the loss of culture that comes with it, if we fail to act now am afraid that by 2030 we would have lost a generation and it may take up about 50years 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.
He stressed the need for the global community to acknowledge the ongoing conflicts and pledge their unwavering support to initiatives that will foster peace, reconciliation and sustainable development in the region.
While calling on the humanitarian community to prioritize Benue State, recognising the pressing need of the people, ActionAid called on the government to address the underlying causes of these crisis and ensure peace in Benue.
The representative of Country Director Plan International Helen Idiong who is the Director Program Quality and Influencing revealed that through funding from Start Fund Network they have provided support to displaced persons from Apa, Agathu, Kwande, logo and Ukum local government areas of Benue state.
She revealed that in the last 45 days 3,806 households, about 26,179 people have received unconditional cash transfers of N50,000-N60,000 while 3,506 households that is 24,297 people received non-food items, 1,100 girls and women received dignity kits and 2,777 people received psychological first aid.
While applauding the support received from Benue State Governor towards the 45 days rapid response, she said their goal is to provide immediate and long term support to vulnerable persons affected by conflicts in the states, especially girls. She appealed for more support in addressing the root causes of the continuous displacement in the state.
