By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State government has commended the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, for its sustained humanitarian interventions and support for vulnerable and displaced persons across the state.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Theresa Ikwue, gave the commendation yesterday when she received the UNHCR delegation led by the Head of Sub-Office, Ogoja, Ms Irene Omondi and the Head of the Makurdi Field Office, Ms Evelyn Katono on an official visit to Makurdi.
Ikwue described UNHCR’s interventions on Gender-Based Violence, GBV, child protection and humanitarian services as timely and impactful, emphasizing that the Governor Hyacinth Alia-led government deeply appreciates the organisation’s commitment to improve the welfare and protection of vulnerable persons in the state.
She assured that the ministry would continue to promote awareness of UNHCR’s humanitarian activities through its official communication platforms, including the ministry’s website, to encourage prompt reporting and access to support services.
The commissioner told the delegation that the ministry had intensified efforts to combat GBV through stakeholders engagement, adding that the recruitment of 556 auxiliary social workers recently deployed across the 23 local government areas, is to strengthen response mechanisms and support survivors.
Ikwue also praised the collaborative efforts of development partners, including the International Organisation for Migration, IOM, UNICEF and UNHCR in building the capacity of ministry staff through training programmes and workshops aimed at addressing the needs of displaced communities and other vulnerable groups, assuring that the doors of the ministry would always remain open for meaningful partnership.
Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to continued collaboration with humanitarian organisations, she said the dedication shown by humanitarian workers remain a source of motivation in efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.
She urged directors and heads of departments in the ministry to continue extending compassion, care and support to displaced persons and vulnerable groups, stressing that humanitarian service is anchored on empathy and commitment to humanity.
In her remarks, the Leader of the UNHCR delegation Ms Omondi commended the ministry for its active role in coordinating responses to GBV and protecting vulnerable persons across the state.
She reiterated UNHCR’s commitment to strengthen support systems for survivors through coordinated protection services and improved access to care.
Omondi also disclosed plans to establish a one-stop support centre for survivors and vulnerable persons in the state, announcing that the ministry had been selected as a key partner in ongoing training and evaluation programmes designed to improve reporting and response to GBV-related cases.
The Director of Women Affairs, Mrs Magdalene Andoor, in her opening remarks, expressed appreciation to UNHCR and its partners for their continued humanitarian support and pledged the ministry’s commitment to ensure effective service delivery to vulnerable communities across the state.
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