The Beanie government reacted amid complaints of food shortages in refugee camps

The Benue State Government has reacted to complaints by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) regarding food shortages in the camps.

The government said it had spent more than N160 million to treat internally displaced persons suffering from snakebites alone in six months.

The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, James Iorpuu, disclosed this to journalists on Friday while responding to complaints by some evacuees about their welfare in the state.

According to him, the agency has taken several steps to help refugees through health services and distribution of food and non-food items.

Speaking on health services for refugees, Iorpuu said in the absence of adequate support from humanitarian partners, the state government, through SEMA, had arranged for them to receive treatment at the Benue University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

“Through this arrangement, the agency has spent over N160 million on healthcare interventions between March and September just for the treatment of snake bites,” he said.

He added that the agency has also ensured that evacuees receive medical treatment for serious illnesses and emergency conditions.

SEMA leaders said the agency is maintaining its monthly food distribution to refugees despite dwindling resources and difficulties in meeting their needs.

He explained that the agency previously distributed large quantities of food every month, but the available supply had reduced significantly.

Iorpuu added that SEMA is working with humanitarian partners, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, on resettlement-related interventions.

However, some refugee camp leaders in the state expressed concern about the welfare of refugees in the 14 officially recognized camps.

The leaders of the Agagbe, Daudu and Mega camps, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity for fear of becoming victims, described the challenges facing the residents as tough and varied.

They cited irregular food distribution, lack of livelihoods, unsafe housing, inadequate shelter, poor sanitation, gaps in health services and limited humanitarian support as among their concerns.

One camp leader said food distribution to refugees had become irregular despite the government’s promise to provide relief materials every month.

The leaders also alleged that the Benue State Emergency Management Agency had called them for discussions after learning that IDPs in Makurdi and Guma were considering protesting over the prolonged absence of food aid.

“After this involvement, food distribution was finally carried out again, although the amount was insufficient compared to the population’s needs. However, since the last distribution about four months ago, we have not heard any more news,” said one of the leaders.

Camp leaders say their main concern is the chance of returning safely to their ancestral communities, and note that some areas remain unsafe.

“What we are crying for now is how to leave the camps and return to our ancestral homes. Unfortunately, some of these communities are still not safe,” said one of them.

They added that some refugees from communities where hostilities have reduced have begun returning periodically to engage in economic activities and support their families.

Meanwhile, Iorpuu denied claims that the planned protests by refugees were motivated by food shortages, and stated that some people had encouraged the demonstrations due to restrictions on visits to the camps.