The Benue State Government has confirmed the plans by the United States government to visit the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state to ascertain the level of the humanitarian crisis caused by the security challenges.
The acting executive secretary of the state emergency management agency (SEMS), James Iorpuu, disclosed this recently during a chat with journalists in the state.
He explained that the state and US governments have reached an advanced stage in preparing for the visit, which, according to him, would take place next January 2024.
According to ThisDay, the ES noted that the state has been documented on the global map, which would help ascertain the total number of persons displaced in Benue.
“Benue State has been launched in the global map through the ongoing biometric data exercise which international organizations are carrying out to ascertain the actual number of the IDPs in the camps.”
He explained that the state government has made use of online platforms to submit the figures, which, according to him, drew the attention of the US government to the humanitarian crisis in the state
“We’re happy that the international communities are aware of the Benue State IDP situation through the biometric data exercise. We have been sending the figures online. I am also happy to say that the United States of America’s government is now interested in the Benue State IDP’s situation.”
He further confirmed the state government’s commitment to arrest the humanitarian crisis in the state.
“The governor is not joking about the humanitarian crises we have in Benue State,” adding that Governor Alia is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that those in the IDPs return to their ancestral homes.
