NEMA, Saudi Arabia distribute food, relief items to 6,403 Benue IDPs

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, (BSEMA), on Wednesday, flagged off the distribution of food items to 6,403 Internally-Displaced Persons, IDPs in Benue State.

Zubaida Umar, Director General of NEMA, who was represented by the Director, Special Duties, Fatimah Kasim, stated that the intervention was supported by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, KSrelief.

She noted that KSrelief donated a total of 24,302 food items for distribution to vulnerable persons in Yobe, Benue, Anambra, Kebbi, and Taraba States.

“In Benue State, a total of 6,403 households that have been profiled, will be receiving the items provided by KSrelief under this intervention,” she said.

Umar noted that while it was the first time KSrelief was extending humanitarian support to Benue through NEMA, the gesture was timely and would complement the efforts of the Federal Government and the Benue State Government in addressing humanitarian needs and supporting community resilience.

She added that the distribution would be carried out strictly in line with operational and accountability standards expected by KSrelief, and would be implemented directly by officials of NEMA, BSEMA, and duly recognised volunteers to ensure transparency and dignity for beneficiaries.

In a remark, James Aondoakaa Iorpuu, Executive Secretary of BSEMA, disclosed that the exercise comprised two major interventions.

“The first is the distribution of food commodities donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through NEMA. This intervention will benefit 6,403 households across six IDP camps in Benue State, namely, Mega Camp, Abagena, Daudu II, Ortese, Ichwa, and International Market Camp.

“The second intervention is the distribution of over 3,000 household relief items jointly facilitated by the Benue State Government and NEMA. These relief materials are intended to provide much-needed support to displaced families as they continue their journey towards recovery and self-reliance,” he added.

Iorpuu expressed appreciation to Governor Alia for his commitment to the welfare of IDPs, and to NEMA for its sustained partnership and prompt interventions in the State. He also commended the NEMA North Central Zonal Office in Jos for its collaboration with BSEMA.

He further thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UN agencies, NGOs, faith-based organisations, donor agencies, security agencies, traditional rulers, and host communities for supporting displaced persons in the state.

“To our dear internally displaced persons, I want to assure you that the Benue State Government has not forgotten you. Every intervention we undertake is driven by our commitment not only to provide immediate relief but also to restore livelihoods and promote self-reliance,” he said.

He called on officials and stakeholders to ensure the distribution was conducted with transparency, accountability, fairness, and integrity, ensuring that items reach intended beneficiaries without discrimination or diversion.

On her part, the NEMA DG urged residents in flood-prone areas of Benue to take proactive measures as the rainy season heightens, citing predictions from the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and annual Flood Outlook.

She said the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu remains committed to improving citizens’ welfare and addressing vulnerabilities arising from disasters, conflicts, and climate-related emergencies.

“To the beneficiaries, I urge you to make good use of the items being distributed today. It is our hope that this support will provide relief and comfort to your households during this challenging period”, she noted.