Benue initiates project to support vulnerable groups in IDPs Camps

Benue State, Nigeria, under the leadership of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has launched a pioneering project aimed at addressing the critical needs of vulnerable groups, particularly adolescent girls, young women, and others residing in camps across the state.

This initiative, funded by the Start Fund Network and executed by Plan International in partnership with consortium members Action Aid and Christian Aid, is in direct response to a recent Rapid Needs Assessment conducted by Plan International in selected sites across Benue State. The assessment identified urgent issues such as protection, food security, non-food items, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.

The intervention targets approximately 15,000 project participants within a 45-day implementation period, focusing on providing protection services, unconditional cash transfers, and distributing non-food items in five identified Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ukum, Logo, Kwande, Agatu, and Apa in Benue State.

Leo-Angelo Viashima, Director General of the Bureau for Benue State International Cooperation & Development Unit (BICD), commended Plan International for its meticulous planning and successful reentry into Benue State, attributing it to the conducive environment fostered by the Alia Administration. He extended an invitation for partners to invest in the state’s development sector.

Viashima highlighted that the project, led by Plan International in collaboration with a consortium, signifies a collaborative approach to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. He emphasized that beyond providing essential services, the project will also create employment opportunities, with plans to employ and train over 50 local individuals, thus contributing to the state’s employment rate.

As part of the project’s localization strategy, 10 Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) from BENGONET and CSO B have been recruited to actively participate in activities, aiming to significantly enhance the capacity of benefiting CSOs. Viashima described this approach as a true redefinition of local involvement in humanitarian responses.

Governor Alia reaffirmed his dedication to working closely with partners and stakeholders “to restore lost dignity and livelihoods” of the affected population. He formalized this commitment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Plan International, ensuring the delivery of quality and inclusive programs in Benue.

Representing the Country Director, Charles Usie, Helen Idiong, Director of Programme Quality and Influencing, Plan International Nigeria, outlined the organization’s ambitious objective: “to impact the lives of 20 million girls and empower them to learn, lead, decide and thrive” within the next five years in Nigeria. She underscored the project’s focus on “vulnerable girls, women-headed households, most vulnerable households, and persons with disabilities,” presenting this intervention as a glimpse of larger endeavors to come.

Governor Alia expressed gratitude to partners and stakeholders for their commitment to meeting the needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State. He emphasized the vital role of ownership, leadership, accountability, and collaboration in ensuring the project’s success, calling for unity in addressing the humanitarian needs of the state’s people.

The Governor extended his appreciation to Plan International, the Start Fund network, and other consortium members for their support, stressing the significance of transparency and accountability in delivering positive impacts to those in need. Notable attendees included Deputy Governor Dr. Sam Ode Mni, SSG Prof. Joseph Alakali, Dr. Emmanuel Chenge, as well as various Commissioners and Special Advisers.

This project’s innovative approach, commitment to localization, and focus on providing holistic support to vulnerable groups set a new benchmark for global humanitarian endeavors.