By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The Benue State Government has raised fresh concerns over the growing burden of catering for over 13,000 Cameroonian refugees currently taking shelter in the state, calling on the Federal Government to urgently step in with stronger support and coordination.
Permanent Secretary, Benue State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), James Iorpuu, disclosed that the refugees, alongside about 3,000 host community members, are presently residing in Ikyogen, Kwande Local Government Area of the state.
Iorpuu lamented that the state could no longer sustain the humanitarian pressure alone amid worsening insecurity and economic challenges confronting Benue.
According to him, the refugees have remained in the state since 2017 without a comprehensive federal response to ensure effective coordination and long-term intervention.
“We cannot continue funding them alone with the insecurity challenges facing us. We are only asking for stronger collaboration and support from the Federal Government,” he stated.
The SEMA boss explained that despite limited resources, the Benue State Government had continued to shoulder major responsibilities, including provision of land and feeding arrangements for the displaced persons.
He said the state allocated about 89 hectares of land for the refugees, while the Federal Government had only assisted in the area of water supply infrastructure.
“The burden is still largely on the state government. As of today, over 13,000 refugees are still living in Benue State. We have written several correspondences to the Federal Government on the matter,” he added.
He warned that the prolonged humanitarian situation could overstretch the state’s already fragile resources if urgent federal intervention was not provided.
