The Federal Government, Benue State Government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have sealed a partnership to deliver urgent life-saving assistance and protection services to communities affected by violence and displacement in Benue State.
The agreement was formalised at a meeting witnessed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, where letters were exchanged between Benue State Governor, Rev. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and UNHCR Country Representative in Nigeria, Arjun Jain.
The intervention, supported by the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund, is expected to directly benefit about 100,000 displaced persons in Guma and Makurdi Local Government Areas, while also strengthening systems that will indirectly support more affected communities.
Speaking on the development, the minister said the initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to assisting Nigerians impacted by conflict and displacement. He noted that the collaboration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at restoring safety, dignity and stability in vulnerable communities.
According to him, the programme will prioritise three key areas: delivery of protection-based life-saving assistance, support for the relocation of displaced families from camps to safer settlements, and installation of solar-powered lighting to enhance security in high-risk areas.
He further disclosed that the initiative will include the expansion and digitisation of protection monitoring systems to enable real-time reporting, early threat detection and integration into national and state early-warning frameworks.
Governor Alia described the partnership as a significant step toward addressing the protracted humanitarian crisis in the state, noting that Benue has long grappled with the challenges of mass displacement.
He emphasised that the collaboration would not only scale up immediate humanitarian response but also strengthen long-term protection mechanisms for affected populations.
Also speaking, UNHCR Country Representative, Arjun Jain, highlighted the importance of coordinated action and government leadership in tackling humanitarian emergencies, adding that the partnership would accelerate delivery of critical support while laying the groundwork for durable solutions.
Implementation of the joint intervention is scheduled to commence in April 2026.
