Saudi Arabia donates 6,403 food baskets to Benue IDPs, vulnerable households

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), has commenced the distribution of 6,403 food baskets donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) to vulnerable households and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State.

Representing NEMA Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, at the flag-off ceremony, the agency’s Director of Special Duties, Mrs. Fatimah Kasim, said the intervention demonstrates the strong humanitarian partnership between NEMA and KSrelief in supporting Nigerians affected by conflict, disasters and economic hardship.

She disclosed that KSrelief donated 24,302 food baskets for distribution across Benue, Yobe, Anambra, Kebbi and Taraba states, with 6,403 profiled households in Benue selected as beneficiaries.

Kasim noted that although it is the first time KSrelief is extending humanitarian assistance to Benue through NEMA, the intervention comes at a critical time and complements the efforts of both the Federal Government and the Benue State Government to address humanitarian needs and strengthen community resilience.

She assured beneficiaries that the distribution process would be transparent and accountable, adding that officials of NEMA, BSEMA and trained volunteers had been deployed to ensure the food items reach the intended recipients without diversion.

Kasim also advised residents of flood-prone communities to heed early warning advisories as the rainy season intensifies, in line with the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook.

Speaking at the event, BSEMA Executive Secretary, Dr. James Torpuu, said the exercise forms part of two major humanitarian interventions aimed at easing the hardship faced by displaced families across the state.

He explained that, aside from the food baskets, more than 3,000 household relief items, jointly provided by the Benue State Government and NEMA, would also be distributed to internally displaced persons.

According to him, the food baskets will be distributed to residents of six designated camps—Mega Camp, Abagena, Daudu II, Ortese, Ichwa and International Market Camp—while the household items are intended to meet the immediate domestic needs of displaced families.

> “The Benue State Government has not forgotten you. Every intervention we undertake is driven by our commitment not only to provide immediate relief but also to restore livelihoods, promote self-reliance, facilitate voluntary, safe and dignified return where conditions permit, and create pathways for lasting peace, recovery and sustainable development,” Torpuu said.

He commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his commitment to the welfare of internally displaced persons and expressed appreciation to NEMA, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, humanitarian partners, donor agencies, host communities and volunteers for supporting relief efforts in the state.

Torpuu also urged officials handling the distribution to maintain the highest standards of transparency, fairness and accountability to ensure that all relief materials reach the intended beneficiaries.