With a view to providing social protection to Benue State internally displaced persons (IDPs), the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has commenced needs assessment on Yelewata community of Guma LGA that was attacked by suspected herdsmen, causing the death of over 200 people.
The Minister of the ministry Professor Nentawe Yelwada who disclosed this yesterday at Government House Makurdi, while speaking to journalists after a closed door meeting with a team from the European Union (EU) and head of security agencies in the state said President Bola Tinubu has directed that his ministry carryout need assessment of level of destruction and impact of the dastardly attack on Yelewata community for the federal government to fashion out modalities to ensure social protection system for the people of Benue and other parts of the country undergoing similar circumstances.
Yelwada also explained that the security agencies were involved to provide protection for those carrying out the need assessment exercise to enable Government have exact data concerning victims, adding that at the completion of the exercise, the federal government will use the report to come out with short- and long-term solutions, especially the provision of relief materials to Yelewata community.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, assured that all the European families in Benue State were committed to supporting the state government to alleviate the sufferings of victims of the recent attacks, expressing optimism that security agencies will ensure the safety of those carrying out the need assessment exercise.
Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde, said the visit of the minister was a follow-up from the president’s visit to the state, stressing that it was equally a demonstration that the president was committed to the welfare of all Nigerians.
He announced that the minister has brought a team of development partners that would support the state government handle the humanitarian crisis that has engulfed the state as well as assist the federal government implement policies for the displaced population in the state.