Benue Governor Alia Enrolls 6,273 IDPs in Health Insurance Scheme

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has announced the enrollment of over 6,273 vulnerable persons from 15 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state’s Health Insurance Scheme, ensuring they have access to essential healthcare services.

Governor Alia made the disclosure during a meeting with a UN delegation led by Paola Pace, Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Alexandre Castellano, Head of Office of the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), in Makurdi. Alia lamented the ongoing crises in the state, which has long been known as the “Food Basket of the Nation” but is now facing persistent attacks and displacement issues in Nigeria’s North-Central region.

He revealed that over 1.5 million displaced persons are currently residing in 26 camps across Benue, struggling with inadequate shelter, limited access to clean water and sanitation, insufficient healthcare services, and a lack of effective protection mechanisms. These hardships, Alia noted, have led to harmful coping strategies, including early marriages, transactional activities, and reduced food intake, which disproportionately affect women, children, and persons with disabilities.

To mitigate the impact of displacement, the governor stated that his administration is empowering host communities with resources and social services to alleviate the strain caused by the influx of displaced populations. Additionally, over 5,000 Civil Protection Guards have been deployed to work alongside security agencies, offering critical protection against potential threats.

Governor Alia emphasized the importance of the ongoing mission and expressed confidence that the deliberations would yield actionable strategies for uplifting both displaced persons and their host communities. He reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the root causes of displacement and fostering sustainable solutions for the people of Benue.

In collaboration with partners, Alia also highlighted the provision of agricultural inputs, training, and resources to displaced persons and host communities, with the aim of restoring farming activities. He believes this initiative will ensure food security, foster economic independence, and stabilize the region in the long term.