From Joseph Uchenna, Makurdi
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF and the European Union, EU have resolved to push for peace building as well as ensure return of displaced communities in Yelwata to continue with their livelihood.
UNICEF Country Director, Cristian Munduate and EU Ambassador to Nigeria Gautier Mignot said this on Tuesday in Makurdi while speaking to Journalists during their visit to the temporary camp of the Yelwata Victims at the International Market located along George Akume Way.
Amb. Gautier said he was in the State to express the Union support, sympathy and solidarity as well as listen to the testimonies of the victims.
He also said they will have meetings with the state authorities to see how EU can contribute to peace building in the State and development support to the state policies.
Said he: “We are here to meet with men and women who were displaced from Yelwata and other communities who suffered the attack on the 13th of June. We felt that it was necessary to come and meet them and express our support, sympathy and solidarity and listen to their testimonies.
“Tomorrow, we will launch a program on social protection in Benue estate. This is something that was already planned for some time, but it came I think at the right moment to express our support to State authorities, and the population of all communities that have been victims of attack and violence.
“At the European Union, we know that peace is only lasting when it is built on dialogue and mutual understanding between communities.
Our Union was based and built on the ashes of two (2) cruel world wars between our member states. And when we came together, united that’s where we we could thrive and prosper, and believe in peace. So this is the future that we hope also for the population in Benue state, if we can bring our modest contribution, we will do this”.
On her part the UNICEF Country Director, Cristian Munduate also condoled with the state and people of Yelwata over their great loss, lamenting over the death of so many children.
She said, “first, we want to express our sincere condolences to all the people. For us, all the lives that were lost, mainly the children, who we lost. But there are many children as well, who are still in different facilities recovering from this attack.
“We have been assessing the situation with our team. The team is present here along with UNHCR, IOM and UN agencies who are here, they will support.
“What we heard today from the meeting 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 in school and this is very commendable because the easy way would be to stay in a camp and here, maybe our life will be solved.
“And now, they want to go back. They want to continue working, this speak highly about them. So,we will come with a joint response from the UN and, hopefully with the partnership of the European Union.
“As for UNICEF, because of all the destruction in the community, we will see how we can support in the primary health facility there. We will need to see the condition of the school and we will need to check the water sources to see how they are functioning. We will support them to return to their Communities”.
Benue State Governor Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia represented by Secretary to the State Government, SSG Mrs Deborah Aber said the government will do all that it takes to ensure that the victims can return safely to their ancestral homes to continue with their farms.
