Benue urges CRS, UNHCR to strengthen humanitarian partnership

The Benue State Government has called on humanitarian organisations operating in the state to strengthen collaboration and coordinate their interventions to prevent duplication of assistance to internally displaced persons and other vulnerable residents.

The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Dr James Iorpuu, made the call when he received a delegation from Catholic Relief Services, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United States Department of State.

Iorpuu stressed that effective coordination among humanitarian partners was necessary to ensure that available resources reached the intended beneficiaries and that interventions complemented existing programmes.

He said stronger collaboration would also promote accountability, prevent overlapping projects and improve the impact of humanitarian assistance across affected communities.

The SEMA chief urged Catholic Relief Services to work closely with the agency, UNHCR and other relevant stakeholders in implementing its proposed interventions in the state.

He also commended CRS for its humanitarian contributions and commitment to supporting vulnerable communities in Benue.

Earlier, the CRS Country Representative, Akim Kikonda, who led the delegation, called for stronger collaboration with Benue SEMA and other humanitarian partners to facilitate the effective implementation of the organisation's RAPID Project.

He said the project was designed to support internally displaced persons and other vulnerable populations in the state.

Kikonda disclosed that CRS had been working with the Foundation for Justice, Development and Peace on humanitarian interventions in Logo, Kwande, Gwer West and Agatu Local Government Areas.

He appealed for improved coordination with relevant agencies to ensure the successful delivery of the proposed project and better support for affected communities.