UNHCR contributes non-food items to IDPs in Benue state

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has contributed relief items such as sleeping mats towards the joint effort to support internally displaced people (IDPs) in Benue State. Tens of thousands of vulnerable individuals have been forced to flee their homes as a result of violent conflict between farmers and herdsmen in different parts of the country. The UNHCR Regional Representative for West Africa, Liz Ahua, handed over buckets, sleeping mats, soap, blankets, solar lanterns, cooking pots, jerry cans and insecticide-treated mosquito nets to the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom at Government House Makurdi.

"We are here to appreciate ongoing state-led efforts for the IDPs, but also, more importantly, the emergency support provided to the influx of Cameroonian refugees through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the refugee-hosting communities", said Liz Ahua. To date, over 20,000 Cameroonian refugees have been registered in Akwa Ibom, Benue and Cross River states.

UNHCR also handed over two vehicles to the Benue Non-Governmental Organization Network and the Justice Development and Peace Commission in support of the response to the influx of Cameroonian refugees in Benue and Cross River states.

In Nigeria, UNHCR works in close collaboration with Federal and state authorities, humanitarian and relief agencies and partner organisations in finding durable solutions and addressing the needs of refugees and other persons of concern.

UNHCR will continue to work closely with state authorities, NGOs, civil society organisations and UN Agencies in Benue and Cross River states.