From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF on Wednesday distributed 100 essential kits for adolescent girls at the International Market, Makurdi to enhance their personal hygiene and cleanliness.
UNICEF also called on all governments, adults and stakeholders to strengthen attention to the needs of the most deprived and vulnerable population, the internally displaced persons, IDPs for increased protection, increased education and increased health care.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Services Judith Lerellee made the passionate call while on an assessment tour of the International Market which houses internally displaced persons.
UNICEF distributed kits to the adolescent girls consistng of soaps, buckets, creams, kettles, pads, reusable pads (which can last for one year), nail cutters, tooth paste, cup, brush and other items that are essentials for girls to manage their lives.
Judith noted that over 3000 persons are displaced and staying in the camp, explaining that the essence of the visit is to look at the condition of the camp and areas of further intervention
She said, “I have been following the situation in Benue State since September 2024 and I was looking forward to meeting persons and authorities in Benue State. Am very impressed with what has been done so far to assist the women and children in this community. We are interacting with more than 3000 people at the Makurdi International market that have been displaced due to the conflict.
“We visited the WASH facility, toilets for the adolescent ladies and women and the health facility. We met with the SUBEB officials to discuss education needs because young people and children want to have education but at the moment no education is offered. There was sometime ago, but due to funding challenges, we were not able to continue the support. We want to thank our donors because without their generous support, we would not have been able to intervene here. We also acknowledge the great commitnent of the Benue government and SEMA and our sister agencies like UNHCR, UNFPA, UNDP and UN women.
“UNICEF does not work in isolation, we bring the different players together for the benefit of the children. I see children need attention because these are very extremely vulnerable population that need more help. This is not the only camp existing in Benue State, I understand there are more than 14 and a half a million people displaced. So, I call on all adults, stakeholders to strengthen attention to the needs of the most deprived population for increased protection, increased education and increased health.
“I work in 14 different countries and most of them in emergency situations. One of the most important thing is to prevent epidermic, access to safe water and good sanitation is extemely worrying. This brings dignity and maintains good practices and make sure people have access to clean water and are able to bathe everyday and wash their clothes. Despite that the incident happened in June 2025, we still need to be there for the people who have lost their sources of livelihood.
“We are doing everything possible to mobilize attention and by March or April this year, we would have someone on ground in the State because we are committed to technical support to the State and the displaced communitiies and improve services to women and children”
Patricia Iwanger Suswam, Executive Director, JASPI Health and Development Gender Initiative said they collaborate with UNICEF to support the children especially the girl child.
Mrs Suswam said JASPI saw the need especially for the girls to provide them with the kits based on their demand.
She said, “as they are in the camp, most of them do not have the kits so we are giving them essential kits like buckets, kettles, pads, reusable pads (which can last for one year), nail cutters, tooth paste, cup, tooth brush and those things that are essentials for girls to manage their lives.
“We present it to them based on their demands. This is the second time we are doing this. We do it on a yearly basis. We give sometime double so that another sister in the family can also benefit. For that period, they would not be looking for money to buy these items. So, it is essential to make them maintain their neatness, support their parents so that they do not go asking them to give them money to buy these things. So, it is to support them so that life would be a bit better for them.
“It is to prevent them from falling into the trap of young boys who would want to take advantage of them due to lack or non access to these items and rape them. 100 girls benefited in this camps. All the 13 camps will also benefit in the same number.
A beneficiary Shaagba Wuese Ter Destiny expressed excitement at the items given to her stating the it shows that people still remember her as a living being.
She said the items would help her a great deal in ensuring hygienic living while appealing to other NGO local and international as well as well meaning individuals to assist them in the camp.
