US BHA Commends Benue State On Humanitarian Leadership

The United States Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance BHA, has commended the Benue state Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia on his unwavering dedication to enhancing the living standards of the people in the state

The Senior Humanitarian Advisor of the United States Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, Mr Patrick Robin, gave the commendation in Government House Markudi at a meeting to address the humanitarian challenges facing the people of Benue State.

Mr Robin reiterated BHA’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of Nigerians and individuals in humanitarian need globally while advocating for governments to prioritize sustainability in their interventions.

He shared insights into BHA’s mission to preserve lives, mitigate human suffering, and mitigate the impact of disasters by empowering vulnerable populations to become more self-reliant.

In a remark, Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia expressed gratitude to the BHA delegation and encouraged the exploration of social investment opportunities in Benue State.

The Governor reaffirmed his commitment to fostering an enabling environment and urged the humanitarian community to proffer enduring solutions that would address the root causes of conflicts leading to displacement.

Governor Alia stressed the imperative of integrating Benue State into the country’s humanitarian response plan and urged the Humanitarian Country Team to recognize the state’s global significance.

He commended the ongoing assessment and mapping of internally displaced persons by IOM, expressing confidence in the valuable data generated through these initiatives.

Earlier, the Director General of the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development, Mr. Leonard-Angelo Viashima, underscored the considerable achievements attained under the leadership of Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia in facilitating the humanitarian response within the state.

Mr Viashima commended Governor Alia for fostering an environment conducive to social entrepreneurship, positioning Benue as a compelling hub for sustainable solutions to urgent humanitarian and developmental issues.

Throughout the visit, emphasis was placed on the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), pivotal role in coordinating the humanitarian response, with the BHA delegation gaining firsthand insights into the living conditions of affected populations, particularly in the Guma and Makurdi local government areas.

A notable highlight was the provision of an office building for the operations of the newly established UNHCR Makurdi sub-office, underscoring the Benue State Government’s commitment to collaborative efforts with international partners for the improvement of affected communities.

Edited By Shakirah Alabi