The Benue State Government, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has commenced the distribution of relief materials to internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the state.
No fewer than 6,403 households in six IDP camps are benefiting from food supplies donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Benue, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, said the intervention was aimed at providing timely humanitarian assistance to families displaced by conflict and violence, while also supporting their recovery and return to normal life in safety and dignity.
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Dr. Iorpuu said the exercise consists of two major interventions.
According to him, the first is the distribution of food commodities donated by Saudi Arabia through NEMA to 6,403 households in six IDP camps in Benue State, namely Mega Camp, Abagena, Daudu II, Ortese, Ichwa and International Market Camp.
He added that the second intervention is the distribution of more than 3,000 household relief items jointly facilitated by the Benue State Government and NEMA to help displaced families meet immediate domestic needs.
The BSEMA boss commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for what he described as his unwavering commitment to the welfare of displaced persons, noting that the state government had continued to provide strategic direction, policy support and resources for humanitarian response and early recovery.
He also praised NEMA, particularly its North Central Zonal Office in Jos, for sustained collaboration with the state in strengthening emergency preparedness and relief operations.
Iorpuu further expressed appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, humanitarian and development partners, host Communities, traditional rulers and volunteers for supporting displaced families in the state.
He assured IDPs that the Benue State Government had not forgotten them and remained committed to restoring livelihoods, promoting self-reliance and creating pathways for safe, voluntary and dignified return where conditions permit.
He also called on officials and stakeholders involved in the exercise to ensure transparency, fairness and accountability in the distribution process.
In her remarks, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Mrs. Zubaida Umar who was represented by Fatimah Suleiman Kasim, Director of Special Duties, disclosed that KSrelief donated a total of 24,302 food baskets for distribution to vulnerable persons in five states of the federation including Benue, Yobe, Anambra, Kebbi and Taraba.
She said Benue alone received 6,403 food baskets for profiled vulnerable households under the intervention.
The NEMA DG described the donation as another demonstration of the enduring humanitarian partnership between NEMA and KSrelief, noting that although it was the first time the Saudi humanitarian organisation was extending support to Benue through NEMA, the gesture was timely and significant in complementing the efforts of both the Federal Government and the Benue State Government in addressing humanitarian needs and strengthening community resilience.
She explained that the distribution in Benue was being carried out in line with KSrelief’s operational and accountability standards, stressing that the exercise would be implemented directly by officials of NEMA, BSEMA and recognised volunteers to ensure transparency, fairness and effective delivery to targeted beneficiaries.
Mrs. Umar also used the occasion to warn residents of flood-prone Communities in Benue and other parts of the country to take proactive steps against flooding as the rainy season intensifies.
She said the warning was in line with the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook, and urged community leaders and local authorities to act early to protect lives and property.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to improving the welfare of citizens and addressing vulnerabilities arising from disasters, conflicts, climate-related emergencies and economic hardship.
She expressed gratitude to King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Government and people of Saudi Arabia, and the management of KSrelief for their generosity and continued support to Nigeria.
The NEMA DG urged beneficiaries to make good use of the items distributed, expressing hope that the intervention would provide relief and comfort to affected households during the difficult period.
, has flagged off the distribution of relief materials to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state. Sunday){kind=link}