The Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, has concluded a three-day high-level joint mission to Benue State aimed at assessing ongoing humanitarian interventions and strengthening coordinated response efforts to internal displacement.
The visit, which brought together the European Union Ambassador, the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Benue State Government, focused on evaluating the scale of displacement and improving collaboration among key stakeholders.
Benue remains one of the worst-affected states in Nigeria, with more than 464,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently living in camps and host communities. Many of them are in urgent need of shelter, clean water, protection services, and livelihood support.
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During the mission, the delegation visited Gwer West and Yelwata, where they interacted directly with displaced families to assess living conditions and identify immediate needs. The team also commissioned ECHO-funded shelter facilities designed to provide safer and more structured accommodation for displaced households.
In Naka, the delegation commissioned a newly constructed water treatment plant with a production capacity of 500,000 litres per day. The facility is expected to significantly improve access to safe drinking water for affected communities and reduce the risk of water-borne diseases.
Beyond field visits, the minister and his delegation held strategic meetings with security agencies and local peace committees. Discussions centred on improving security coordination and fostering community-based peacebuilding efforts to address the root causes of displacement.
Speaking at the end of the mission, Dr. Doro said while emergency relief remains critical, the federal government’s priority is to pursue durable solutions.
“Our focus is not only on temporary shelter,” he stated. “We are committed to ensuring that displaced persons transition from emergency conditions to safe, dignified and sustainable reintegration within their communities.”
He acknowledged the support of the European Union, ECHO, IOM and other development partners, describing humanitarian response as a collective responsibility that requires strong partnerships.
“Humanitarian response requires collaboration,” he said. “Together, we are working to restore stability, dignity and hope to affected communities.”
The minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to sustaining humanitarian interventions in Benue and other affected states across the country.
“Our work continues,” he said.
Benue State has faced recurring displacement crises in recent years, driven by insecurity and communal conflicts. Humanitarian agencies warn that without sustained intervention and long-term reintegration strategies, many displaced families may remain trapped in prolonged vulnerability.
The joint mission signals renewed commitment from both the Nigerian government and international partners to move beyond emergency aid and lay the groundwork for recovery and stability in one of the country’s most impacted regions.
