From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
European Union, EU, has pledged its commitment to partner the Benue State government to support policies that will ensure lasting peace among communities.
Making the pledge when he led a high-level delegation of some United Nations partners to visit survivors of the Yelewata attack at the International Ultra Modern Market temporary IDP camp on Tuesday in Makurdi, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot said they were in the state to meet those displaced during the attack and express solidarity, as well as support them.
He said during the visit, the team held meetings with the IDPs, where they listened to their testimonies, as well as interacted with officials of the state government to see how best EU can contribute to peace building and provide immediate support to the displaced persons.
Mignet also revealed that the EU would launch a programme on social protection to support the state government and communities affected by protracted violence.
He recalled that the formation of the EU after the world war was to foster a prosperous society in Europe and build lasting peace through dialogue, as well as mutual understanding, assuring the Benue State government of EU’s support for peace to return to the troubled communities.
Country Director, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Christian Munduate said her team alongside UNHCR, IOM and other United Nations agencies carried out a thorough assessment and interacted with the displaced persons.
According to her, the IDPs are yearning to go back to their ancestral homes.
She assured that because of the destruction, UNICEF would offer support to the state government by providing health facilities at the camp, see the condition of the camp and ensure that water sources such as boreholes are functional.
The country director also promised that in partnership with the EU, they would come up with a joint response to cushion the hardship, as well as support government to return the IDPs to their ancestral communities.
In response, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mrs Serumun Aber expressed appreciation to UNICEF and the UN for their prompt response, assuring that government would do everything possible for peace to return and for the displaced population to go back to their ancestral homes.
