The European Union (EU) and United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, have sympathized with victims of the recent horrific Yelwata attack in Benue State.
While the EU ambassador to Nigeria Gautier Mignot noted that it became necessary to express their support to the victims of the attacks and facilitate their return back to their ancestral homes, the UNICEF Country Director Cristain Manduate pledged to assess the damage caused, fix the health facility, school and work on the water sources that would ensure that they were functional.
Both organisations committed when they visited the Makurdi International market, where those who were displaced from Yelwata are being sheltered.
The EU ambassador said the team will meet with State authorities to see how they can contribute to peacebuilding in the state.
“As the European Union, we know that peace is only lasting when it is built on dialogue and mutual understanding between communities,” he added.
Similarly, the UNICEF Country Director said her team has been on the ground assessing the situation along with UNHCR, IOM, and UN agencies, who are there to provide support.
“What we heard today from the meeting we just had (with the displaced persons) is that the people want to return to their communities. They want to move ahead, they want to still work on their farms, their land. They want their children to be at school, and this is very commendable”.
“And now, they want to go back. They want to continue working. So, we will come with a joint response from the UN and, hopefully, with the partnership of the European Union.”She stated
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Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Deborah Aber, said the State Government was appreciative of the support offered by its partners, adding that the government has been on the ground since the first day that they were displaced.
She said, “Yes, they have indicated that they are agitated to go back to their communities, and like the UNICEF representative said, it shows their bravery that they are not giving up their ancestral land. The government will do all in its power to ensure that they can go back to their communities.
“They don’t want hand-downs that are being given to them in the camp. So the government will do all that it takes to ensure that they can return safely to their ancestral homes to continue with their farms.
“It is painful that this is at the peak of a farming season when they have crops on their farms and they are displaced. The SSG added
She said the survivors are provided special care and psychosocial support, particularly for the woman who lost her entire family.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
