The Benue State Government has appealed to the Federal Government for urgent intervention to help sustain the care and support of about 13,000 Cameroonian refugees currently taking shelter in the state.

The appeal was made in Makurdi by the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Dr. James Iorpuu, during the agency’s monthly distribution of relief materials to vulnerable groups across the state.

Iorpuu, who also serves as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, explained that the refugees have been residing in Kwande Local Government Area since 2017 after fleeing instability in parts of Cameroon. He noted that their presence has significantly increased humanitarian pressure on host communities, with the refugee population now estimated at about 13,000 far higher than the local host community population of just over 3,000.

According to him, the state government has continued to provide shelter and basic support despite limited resources, but the situation has become increasingly difficult to sustain without stronger federal backing.

“We are committed to continuing to host and support them, but the burden is becoming overwhelming for the state,” he said, stressing the need for coordinated national intervention.

He therefore called on the Federal Government to step in with additional funding, logistics, and humanitarian assistance to ease the pressure on Benue State, which already faces its own internal displacement challenges linked to insecurity and natural disasters.

The BSEMA boss also commended the resilience of both the refugees and internally displaced persons across the state, noting that they have continued to cope with difficult living conditions despite limited access to food, healthcare, and basic services.

He acknowledged the support of development partners, particularly the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), for its continued humanitarian assistance. He explained that the UN agency, through the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund, has been supporting vulnerable persons in areas such as Guma and Makurdi Local Government Areas.

He further highlighted ongoing collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, and improved response coordination across affected communities.

Iorpuu also praised the Benue State Government under Governor Hyacinth Alia for sustained financial support to humanitarian operations, which he said has strengthened relief distribution and emergency response efforts across the state.

As part of the ongoing humanitarian outreach, BSEMA is distributing relief materials across 15 camps, host communities, orphanages, special needs schools, and elderly care homes.

Items distributed include thousands of bags of rice, beans, and gari, as well as cartons of noodles, malt drinks, seasoning, salt, sugar, and cooking oil. The agency said the intervention is aimed at cushioning the impact of hardship on displaced persons and vulnerable households.

Iorpuu reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and continued humanitarian support, while urging stronger collaboration between federal, state, and international partners to address the growing displacement challenges in Benue State.