MAKURDI: The Federal Government (FG) has commenced the collation of the needs assessment of victims of the armed herdsmen attacks on Yelwata, in Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
The collation commenced following the arrival of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, and his team to the state and their subsequent visit to Yelwata and the camp of the displaced persons at the International market on George Akume way, Makurdi.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after going round the camp and after a meeting with other stakeholders in Makurdi, the minister explained that the FG needed a comprehensive data of the victims and their communities, which also include data of the humanitarian and development components for victims of the attacks in Benue, especially those in Yelwata, for effective and efficient coordination and interventions.
Yilwatda, who also explained that he was in Benue on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to embark on the exercise, further observed that thereafter, the ministry would come up with a blueprint, among which would be a short and long term programme on its interventions.
He explained that the community needed better and quality educational, healthcare facilities and other infrastructures destroyed during the attack.
According to the Minister, “We are here on the directives of the President to get on the spot assessment of the impact of the attack in Yelwata.
“We are looking at the humanitarian and development component response plan. My people will be on ground, go round the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and Yelwata to get the required data.
“The President was here one week ago and made some promises and commitments, this data will help us to respond to all the promises of the President.
“When it comes to interventions it goes beyond just Government alone. It covers the private sector, development partners, FG, States and LGs. Now when you have data you can distribute responsibilities “. he said
Furthermore, the Minister said, “We need to speak with security agencies to ensure that they provide security to those carrying out the need assessment to ensure that they are protected to have the exact data for better decision making.
“There must be a need assessment for both humanitarian and development components. When it is done we will come up with a blueprint, a short term and long term program on what to do.
“First it will be for social protection and also provide things that will make life more meaningful to victims of attacks especially the people of Yelwata”, he assured.