The number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the states of Benue, Niger, and Plateau in the year 2023 has surged to approximately 548,751, as indicated by data collected from a range of local and international organizations.
Following this report, it was gathered that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of the Federal Government has began the distribution of essential relief supplies as part of the Special National Economic Livelihood Emergency Intervention.
While there have been some improvements in the security situation across various regions of Nigeria, with a decline in the frequency of attacks, millions of Nigerians are still being displaced from their localities due to activities of criminal gangs, bandits, and other threats.
The ongoing violence in Plateau State stems from the longstanding conflict between herders and farmers. The consequences of this violence have had a devastating impact on the lives of the displaced persons, who have endured the loss of their homes, livelihoods, and loved ones.
Ezekiel Manzo, the spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), revealed that the government has initiated interventions to alleviate the challenges faced by IDPs.
Among these interventions is the distribution of relief items under the Special National Economic Livelihood Emergency Intervention, approved by the Federal Government to support households affected by the 2022 flood.
This distribution is already underway in Taraba, Bauchi, and Gombe states, and is expected to cover all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. The relief items encompass both food and non-food essentials, as well as livelihood support tools and seedlings, with a direct distribution approach to enhance the socio-economic resilience of beneficiaries.