Ahead of the anticipated flood, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the Benue State government have trained 200 security personnel on handling Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

Mediatrice Barengayabo, the head of the IOM Benue sub-office, stated this at the closing of the four-day training on Saturday in Makurdi, the state capital.

Ms Barengayabo said the training was to build the capacities of the trainees to handle GBV and sexual exploitation cases in IDP camps in case the flood occurs.

She said that even though the officers already have professional training to function, they still need certain training to effectively respond to the people during disasters.

Ms Barengayabo said the training would help the officers to handle all manner of GBV and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and trafficking in persons when the cases arise while on duty.

According to her, IOM is committed to supporting the efforts of preparedness in disaster management, especially now that the water level in River Benue is at a critical stage.

“In doing so, the knowledge that you have acquired here will help you to effectively respond to the needs of women, men, and children who may be affected by GBV or sexual exploitation and abuse.

“I’m very sure that you will work out here with the capacity to go out there and train others and have conversations that will help them think differently.

“Therefore, IOM stands ready to support the training for the trainers so that when we are no longer here, there is a capacity in place for continuity,” she said.

The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management,  Aondowase Kunde, urged the participants to bring the knowledge gained during the training to bear in discharging their duties.

Mr Kunde said the state government was collaborating with the IOM to ensure such cases were not recorded in the would-be camps in the state.

The commissioner regretted that, in some cases, officers who were supposed to protect the people turned to abuse them and urged the participants to educate their colleagues on respecting human dignity.

He called on the federal government to quickly complete the Kashimbila Dam to mitigate the impact of the release of water from the Lodo Dam on Nigerians.

Commissioner for Water Resources and Climate Change Odoh Ugwu said the water level of River Benue is now at 10.5 metres, which he said was stable.

Mr Ugwu, represented by Dominic Achioko, acting permanent secretary of the ministry, said there will be danger when the water level hits 11 metres.

(NAN)