The United Nations (UN) has pledged to support the successful implementation of the launched Durable Solutions Action Plan for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue.

Malick Fall, United Nations (UN) resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, disclosed this on Friday during the launching of the 5-year action plan in Makurdi.

The N853bn action plan would be implemented in three-pronged approaches to tackle the crisis: return, integration, and resettlement. 

The humanitarian coordinator said that the UN was in full support of the durable solutions and would be implemented beyond the state, the country, and even in Sub-Saharan Africa.

He stated that the launching of the action plan was a powerful affirmation of a collective commitment to support the resilience of the people of Benue, foster sustainable solutions for IDPs, and promote long-term development.

“The UN will stand in full solidarity with the people of Benue and the people of Nigeria in general. We are committed to supporting the successful implementation of this state plan by providing resources, technical assistance, and others.

“Today we launched a plan that focuses on practical, community-based solutions to address the unending crisis of displacements that this country has witnessed in the past years.

“This plan underscores the importance of self-reliance, recovering, and affirming the belief that displaced individuals are not just victims but agents of their own recovery,” he said. 

He added that the plan would not only solve the displacement problems in the state but also address the problem of climate change and economic recovery.

According to him, Benue is blessed with fertile land, and with adequate support, it will become the cornerstone of the nation’s agricultural production.

“The innovative farming technique pioneered by the cooperatives by the IDPs reflects the state’s agricultural promises.

“The key aspect of the action plan is agricultural recovery. Benue is known in Nigeria as the food basket of the nation, but it can regain this position as a cornerstone of national agricultural production with the right support. 

“IDPs, farmers cooperatives are demonstrating remarkable resilience and innovations, providing what is possible when displaced individuals are given the resources to build their livelihood and future themselves.

“Let me remind you here that supporting people is not charity work. It is an investment for sustainable development.

“Seeing that the largest part of the budget plan is allocated to livelihood generation strengthened my belief that the reintegration of IDPs is mostly an investment for development,” he said.

The UN coordinator in Nigeria further said the decision of the state action plan to include host communities into the integral part of finding solutions offers a more reliable way of finding lasting solutions to the crisis.

He said beyond economic recovery, the state must prioritise unity and reconciliation and social cohesion because conflicts and displacements usually divide the communities, so reconciliation becomes essential for the success of the plan. 

The UN coordinator was accompanied by over 20 humanitarian partners and members of the diplomatic community to the state.

(NAN)