NEMA, Benue SEMA Deliver Relief to 9,403 IDP Households

By Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has flagged off the distribution of food baskets and other relief materials to thousands of vulnerable households and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Makurdi, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, represented by the Director of Special Duties, Fatimah Kasim, said the intervention was made possible through the support of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).
She described the initiative as another demonstration of the strong humanitarian partnership between NEMA and KSrelief, noting that the Saudi Arabia-based organisation has consistently supported vulnerable populations in Nigeria through relief interventions and capacity-building programmes.
Umar disclosed that KSrelief donated a total of 24,302 food baskets for distribution to vulnerable households in Yobe, Benue, Anambra, Kebbi and Taraba states. She said Benue received 6,403 food baskets for profiled households affected by displacement and hardship.
According to her, the distribution exercise has already been conducted in the other beneficiary states, extending relief and hope to thousands of vulnerable families across the country.
She noted that although it is the first time KSrelief is extending humanitarian assistance to Benue State through NEMA, the intervention comes at a critical time and complements the efforts of both the Federal Government and the Benue State Government in addressing humanitarian challenges.
Umar explained that the distribution would be implemented under strict operational and accountability standards set by KSrelief to ensure transparency, fairness and effective delivery. She said officials of NEMA, Benue SEMA and accredited volunteers would oversee the exercise to guarantee that the food baskets reach the intended beneficiaries efficiently and with dignity.
She also advised residents of flood-prone communities to take precautionary measures as the rainy season intensifies, citing projections contained in the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook.
Umar reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting citizens affected by disasters, conflicts, climate-related emergencies and economic challenges through sustained humanitarian interventions and resilience-building programmes.
The Executive Secretary of Benue SEMA, Sir James Iorpuu, said the exercise was designed to provide timely support to families displaced by conflict and violence while advancing efforts toward durable solutions for affected populations.
He disclosed that the KSrelief intervention would benefit 6,403 households across six IDP camps in the state, namely Mega Camp, Abagena, Daudu II, Ortese, Ichwa and International Market Camp.
Iorpuu further revealed that the exercise also included the distribution of relief materials jointly facilitated by the Benue State Government and NEMA to more than 3,000 additional households to help meet their immediate domestic needs, bringing the total number of beneficiary households to 9,403.
He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for prioritising the welfare of displaced persons, saying the administration has continued to provide the policy direction and resources required for humanitarian response, recovery and durable solutions.
Iorpuu also appreciated NEMA, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, humanitarian partners, host communities and volunteers for their support. He assured the displaced persons that the government remains committed to restoring their livelihoods, promoting self-reliance and facilitating their safe and dignified return to their communities.