By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The Benue Non-Governmental Organisation Network (BENGONET) has donated food items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the camp located at Makurdi International Market to cushion the effects of hardship on vulnerable families.
The donation, made on Friday by BENGONET’s Agricultural Thematic Group in collaboration with civil society organisations (CSOs) and other non-governmental organisations under the network, was part of activities marking the 2026 World Food Day.
Vice Chairman of BENGONET, Daniel Seer, said the gesture was aimed at identifying with displaced persons and providing relief to families struggling to meet their basic food needs under this year’s theme, “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow.”
He said the items donated included rice, yam, seasoning and other food supplies which would help the displaced people cushion the effect of hardship.
Seer urged the displaced persons to remain hopeful and pray for their safe return to their ancestral homes, noting that life in displacement camps could not replace the comfort and security of their communities.
“We pray that you all go back to your homes so that you can contribute to the economy of the country,” he said.
Also speaking, Victor Asobo of the Global Health and Living Environment Foundation (GOLEF) said World Food Day provided an opportunity to reflect on food production, food security and the challenges confronting farmers.
He identified climate change and human activities, including indiscriminate tree felling, as some of the factors affecting agricultural production and livelihoods.
Asobo said the effects, including flooding, had worsened the economic and social difficulties faced by vulnerable populations, making it necessary to support displaced families.
He acknowledged that the donated items might not be sufficient to meet all the needs of the beneficiaries but expressed hope that the intervention would help ease their hardship.
Asobo also disclosed plans to provide planting materials to women in the camp to encourage household vegetable production and improve children’s nutrition.
He said the initiative would target at least 200 women, with a proposal to provide each beneficiary with five sacks for growing vegetables.
According to him, the organisation would also return to train the women in climate-smart agriculture to strengthen household food security and improve their capacity to produce food despite the challenges of displacement.
Receiving the items, the camp manager, Robert Nyom, thanked BENGONET and its partners for remembering the displaced persons and providing assistance to support their welfare
