UNFPA and Japan Provide Humanitarian Aid to Benue State
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with the Government of Japan, has provided Inter-Agency Reproductive Health (IARH) kits and essential humanitarian supplies to the Benue State Government. This initiative aims to enhance maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health services, and improve responses to gender-based violence throughout the region.
Delivered through the Royal Heritage Health Foundation, this intervention is anticipated to benefit over 100,000 vulnerable individuals, particularly internally displaced persons (IDPs), as well as women and girls impacted by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Benue.
During the official handover ceremony at the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BENSEMA) headquarters in Makurdi, Muriel Mafika, the UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria, emphasized that the reproductive health kits are life-saving essentials. She noted that this initiative represents more than just a distribution of medical supplies.
“These kits will serve over 100,000 people across Benue State. Our investment extends beyond supplies; it is fundamentally about people, as supplies alone cannot save lives unless health professionals are adequately trained,” she stated.
Mafika announced a partnership with the Benue State College of Nursing Sciences to enhance the skills of nurses, midwives, and doctors. Furthermore, the initiative aims to establish safe spaces and youth-friendly centers in IDP camps to bolster responses to gender-based violence.
In addition, she revealed plans for government agencies to focus on enhancing digital literacy and marketing skills among youth and women, promoting economic empowerment to ensure inclusivity.
“Today, we have witnessed the tangible impact of our support in Benue. While significant progress has been made, there remains much more to accomplish, and we must act swiftly and sustainably,” Mafika remarked.
She reiterated the importance of intertwining peace and development, affirming that UNFPA will persist in its support for women-led and youth-led organizations, facilitating government coordination on peacebuilding and responses to gender-based violence.
Benue’s Leadership Welcomes UNFPA’s Support
Deputy Governor Sam Ode, representing Governor Hyacinth Aria, expressed gratitude for the assistance from UNFPA and the Government of Japan, highlighting the timeliness and significance of the donation in enhancing maternal and newborn health services in Benue.
“We genuinely appreciate this collaboration between the United Nations Population Fund and the Japanese government agencies. This intervention is crucial in advancing maternal and newborn health, as well as strengthening responses to sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence,” he stated.
Ode assured donors that the state government would manage a transparent distribution process for the supplies. “As noted previously, we will ensure that these resources are utilized effectively and monitored closely to guarantee they reach those who need them,” he emphasized, highlighting the importance of the partnership.
Governor Aliah reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery and fostering partnerships that support vulnerable communities throughout the state. He commended the ongoing support from UNFPA and the Japanese Government in addressing issues related to maternal health, gender-based violence, and the needs of internally displaced persons.
Aliah also welcomed initiatives funded by Japan that focus on digital literacy, economic empowerment, reproductive health services, and gender-based violence prevention, noting their alignment with his administration’s vision for sustainable and people-centered development.
