Federal Government Provides Food Aid to 1,000 Families in Benue

The federal government has distributed food and nutritional supplies to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the three senatorial districts of Benue State.

Approximately 1,000 vulnerable families received assistance during the launch event held in Makurdi.

The distributed items comprised red oil, vegetable oil, bags of rice, garri, beans, as well as seasoning cubes, salt, and tomato paste.

Dr. Bernard Doro, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, officiated the distribution, emphasizing that this effort is part of the Presidential Initiative for Food and Nutrition Assistance.

He explained that this event illustrates the government’s commitment to support communities affected by displacement, insecurity, and disruption of livelihoods.

Doro mentioned that Benue State has been under significant humanitarian strain in recent years, largely due to armed violence, farmer-herder clashes, and the destruction of agricultural land.

These ongoing issues have severely impacted agricultural productivity, disrupted food supply chains, and placed immense pressure on numerous households—particularly women, children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and IDPs.

The Minister also disclosed that the federal government is working on enhancing and expanding the national social register to ensure that marginalized groups throughout the country are accurately identified and integrated into structured social protection frameworks.

In his address, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the governor of Benue State, expressed his concerns regarding the acute humanitarian challenges resulting from ongoing insecurity and communal disputes, notably the clashes between farmers and herders that have sabotaged agricultural activities and rural economies.

One of the beneficiaries, Peter Goyi, remarked that the assistance comes at a critical time, as it would alleviate hunger and distress.

Another recipient, Terser Adah, expressed gratitude towards President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the support, highlighting that the provisions would help ease the economic burdens facing his family.