Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, unveils a five-year initiative to support over 500,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state, a population that constitutes 30% of the region’s displaced residents.
The ambitious plan, part of the state’s Action Plan on Durable Solutions, aims to ensure the safe return of IDPs to their ancestral homes.
During the weekend’s launch, Alia addressed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, UN representatives, and diplomatic officials, detailing the program’s focus on sustainability.
The initiative includes the creation of 210 farmers’ cooperatives across 23 local government areas, benefiting over 4,200 IDPs. These cooperatives will offer training in farming, focusing on rice, maize, cassava, and vegetable production.
Alia expressed his vision for a future where every IDP can return home with dignity. “Before I assumed office, I dreamed of a day when no IDP would need specific assistance or protection. This program is a step toward that goal,” he said.
The project’s long-term impact extends beyond agriculture; it seeks to empower IDPs economically and socially, ultimately transforming them from recipients of aid to contributors to their communities.
Alia stressed the importance of continued evaluation to ensure the plan’s relevance in addressing the ever-changing needs of the displaced and people of the state.
