…Pledges To Reach Out To 14 Other Camps
MAKURDI – The World Bank assisted, Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL), in Benue State has donated 1,000 bags of rice and other commodities to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Ichwa camp in Makurdi Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The Project Coordinator of ACReSAL in the state, Builder Victor Ama, who disclosed this on Friday also stated that the Agency would extend the gesture to 14 other IDP camps across the state.
The Project Coordinator made this known at Ichwa camp, Makurdi, on Friday during the flag off of the distribution of livelihood support to vulnerable communities across Benue state by ACReSAL.
Ama explained that the choice of Ichwa camp for the flag off of the exercise was as a result of the discovery that the camp lacked basic needs and the interest of the World Bank in the plight of IDPs and its desire to see that their sufferings were reduced, if not totally eradicated.
Others items donated to the IDPs at the camp include, 500 bags of beans; 200 bags of salt; 500 gallons of 4 liter palm oil and 500 bags of garri.
He explained that “We are here today to distribute livelihood support materials to Ichwa camp. This is not going to stop here. We will be embarking to another IDP camp tomorrow (Saturday) in Kwande LG, where we have a similar situation.
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“We will even be supporting other vulnerable communities that are not in camps and we have earmarked 15 IDP camps and it’s going to be concurrent. As we leave here; tomorrow (Saturday) it’s going to be Kwande and next week we will continue and we will be in 15 IDP camps, giving them this same support.
“Aside from IDP camps, we want to identify vulnerable groups, like the widows and pensioners; a lot of them will be brought on board. So over 10,000 people will be benefiting this intervention.
“As you all know this is a World Bank support project for Benue state and we are interested in seeing that our people are well taken care of especially the IDPs in the state.”
When probed to speak on the confirmed cases of Mpox, Ama said “Our project is one that we initiate projects send to the World Bank for clearance before we execute them.
“I’m just getting to know about the challenges of health but I can assure you that once we get back we will put this on board and send to the Bank for onward clearance and I believe that the next time we are here we will be intervening in the area of health. That I can assure you.
“I want to thank His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State (Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia), for the privilege given us and the support we’ve had so far as a project. We have never made a request that he turned down.”
Receiving the items on behalf of the state government, the Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir James Iorpuu said, “We are excited to receive this donation from ACReSAL this afternoon to cushion the effect of the food challenge experienced by IDPs. We are so grateful.
“For the first time since this administration, no intervention has reached any camp in this magnitude. I appreciate the governor for welcoming partners in the state. It’s is an indication of someone who wishes to move the state and his people forward.
“ACReSAL and World Bank alone have donated 50 units shelter to IDPs in Kwande LGA. We want to appeal to you to also reach out to other camps as well”, the SEMA boss appealed.
