The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sought stronger collaboration with the Benue State Ministry of Information and Orientation for a new phase of intervention for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
The Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Mr. Hilary Uzoh, made the call on Thursday during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, in his office in Makurdi.
Uzoh said UNICEF was entering a new phase of its humanitarian response in Benue, focusing on child protection, education, health, WASH and reintegration of displaced families, and needed the ministry to drive effective public sensitization and community engagement.
He commended the Benue State Government under Governor Hyacinth Alia for its commitment to the welfare of IDPs and for creating an enabling environment for partners to operate.
Responding, the Commissioner, Chief Iorpev, welcomed the initiative and assured UNICEF of the ministry’s full support.
He said the ministry, as the information hub of government, would deploy its structures to ensure that interventions reach the affected communities and that the right information is communicated to IDPs across the state.
Iorpev noted that the Alia administration has prioritized the safe return and resettlement of IDPs, and partnership with UNICEF will further strengthen the process.
The meeting was attended by directors and senior staff of the ministry as well as officials of UNICEF.
