IDPs in Benue state receive renewed hope of accessing assistance and support to transform their conditions as the Consortium of Caritas Nigeria, Caritas Germany, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), Irish Aid in partnership with the Catholic Dioceses of Makurdi, Otukpo, Gboko and Katsina Ala launches the Improving Delivery of Assistance and Solutions to IDPs (IDEAS) project.

Presenting the project to stakeholders who converged on Otukpo, Benue state, Fr. Peter Babangida Audu, Executive Secretary, Caritas Nigeria stated that the project aims to improve IDPs’ food security, household incomes, access to Water, quality Sanitation and Hygiene as well as protection; while promoting peaceful coexistence. The Country Representative of Caritas Germany, Leeza Joseph in her remarks noted that the second phase of IDEAS project is a build up on the successes of the first phase which reached 14,853 IDPs in host community and camp settings across the state.

Caritas Nigeria’s Senior Programme Management Advisor, Michael Agidah Adie, Head of Finance Gregory Atogbon and the Project Coordinator, Valentine Kwaghchimin shared the gains of the project including improved quality of life, but also community social cohesion and gender parity for women IDPs in entrepreneurships.

The Coordinator of Catholic Diocese of Makurdi Foundation for Justice, Development and Peace (FJDP Makurdi), Fr. Philip Doolumun Apuu, that of Caritas Gboko Diocese, Fr. Isaiah Ter; as well of those of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina Ala
Foundation for Justice, Development and the Justice, Development and Caritas Foundation of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo Fr. Gabriel Faga Tortiv and Fr. Emmanuel Ejeh Esq. gave testimonies of the successes of the first phase of IDEAS Project. IDPs who participated in the first phase of the project affirmed the impact the project has made in improving their lives.

The Ochi Otukpo and other traditional rulers advocated for increased targeting of IDPs who abound in hosting communities. The Directors General of the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development (BICD); and Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation (BSCPR) Dr. Leo Viashima and Josephine Habba appreciated the consortium for supporting BSCPR to design its first strategic plan and expressed commitment of governmental agencies to support the project. Representative of BICD, Beauty Adaaku and that of BSCPR, Iorwuese Yaasah charged the project team to deepen engagement with state agencies to deliver the project results.

Conducting the official launch of the Project, Most Rev. Michael Apochi, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo declared that IDEAS project has introduced positive change in the lives of IDPs through an innovative collaboration and reassured the support of the Catholic Bishops in Benue state and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria to the Project.