UNICEF donates safe space, psychosocial support items to IDPs in Benue 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, in collaboration with JASPI, on Thursday, donated safe-space and other psychosocial support (PSS), items to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Benue State.

Speaking at the presentation of the items at the Mbanyogu IDP Mega Camp, Along Ortom Road, Agan Makurdi, Benue state, Officer – In – Charge Chief of Field officer, UNICEF, Enugu, Shamina Sharmin, said the gesture is mainly for gender based violence for children across Guma and Makurdi LGAs. 

Sharmin stated that the intervention was also meant to mitigate the risk of gender violence and prevent these violence to these camps and other conditions, assuring that UNICEF will continue to  be in the vanguard of promoting rights of children and women in the society.

She maintained that the safe-space will give home and  a piece of haven to the children  in who who are suffering from these violence. 

She commended JAISPI for their exceptional initiative and intervention in driving this process , stressing that their work has truly made a difference in the affected camps and for the lives of so many others.

“I want to appreciate our community leaders and camp leaders, your critical support is important to sustain this project.

“As we officially hand over this project for 4 months program for the children, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to protect the children and eliminating violence in every form. Together we can create a holistic and safer world for our women and children everywhere not only in the camps but globally”, Sharmin stated.

On her part, the Executive Director of JASPI, Henrietta Doosuurshater, said  the organization is poised to  create a future where safety, dignity, and empowerment are not privileges but rights for every woman, child, and community member. 

She explained that the team has been working tirelessly to deliver comprehensive interventions across Guma and Makurdi LGAs, saying they have prioritised building awareness on GBV and SGBV, providing mental health and psycho-social support, and establishing mechanisms to report and respond to incidents of exploitation and abuse. 

“Today, as we officially unveil and hand over these vital materials and equipment, including the establishment of functional Safe Spaces in four IDP camps – Uikpam, Ortese, Daudu II, and the IDP Mega Camp – we take another bold step forward. These spaces will not only serve as safe havens but also as hubs for recovery, learning, and empowerment” she said.