By Emmanuel Antswen
THE CHIEF of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Ms Paola Pace, said the organisation would empower Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue and also assist in tackling the root causes of the crisis.
Pace stated this on Friday at the Ortese IDPs Camp, Guma Local Government Area, during her visit to the camp to assess the IDPs situation.
The chief of mission said at the moment they were focusing more on the humanitarian response but would also identify the root causes of the crisis and try to resolve the same.
She said that the organisation would strive to give the people economic empowerment before tackling the root causes.
“At the moment we are focusing more on the humanitarian response. But we are also looking at the root causes of these fights. I do believe that the population has increased, and the resources remained the same, so is it really a fight for resources?
“So there is more work to be done in terms of empowering people to find their livelihood to be able to survive.
“We are coming back on 24th January for the launching of the durable solutions for the IDPs, and we will bring some private sector actors to come and create jobs for the Benue people.
“If there is income for everybody, there will be no reason to fight over resources. If social economy is the reason these fights arise, people die and lose their source of income.
“We need to look into these deep-rooted causes. But we can’t do this alone; we need other partners to make this happen.” she said.
Pace also assured that they would mobilise more partners in 2025 to do more in terms of potential peacebuilding, strengthening not just emergency response but also prevention.
The chief of mission said their motoring team would arrive in February to assess what they have done so far, adding that they would, going forward, focus on covering some of the gaps identified.
She expressed happiness to see that the living conditions of the IDPs have improved since their arrival.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr Aondowase Kunde, said Gov. Hyacinth Alia was determined to bring life back to the IDPs.
Kunde said that the launching of the Durable Solutions Action Plan for the IDPs on January 24th would also mark the beginning of its implementation.
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The Executive Secretary, Benue Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, commended IOM for building a dam and lifting water for a distance of 4 kilometres for the IDPs at Ortses Camp.
Iorpuu also commended IOM for everything they have done for the state, including the construction of the mega camp, the Displacement Tracking Matrix, and others.
He also commended other development partners for their various support and contributions to the well-being of the displaced people in the state.
The News Agency (NAN) reports that the Head of European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Operations (ECHO), Mr Alexander Castellano, accompanied Pace during the visit. (NAN)
