The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in partnership 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 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable households across Benue State.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), has flagged off the distribution of 6,403 food baskets donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to internally displaced persons and vulnerable households in Benue State.
The humanitarian intervention, facilitated through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), is aimed at providing immediate food assistance to families displaced by conflict and insecurity while complementing ongoing relief efforts by the Federal and Benue State governments.
The distribution exercise targets 6,403 households across six internally displaced persons camps in Benue State, namely Mega Camp, Abagena, Daudu II, Ortese, Ichwa, and International Market Camp.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Makurdi, Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Sir James Iorpuu, said the exercise represents one of two major humanitarian interventions currently being implemented in the state.
He explained that, in addition to the Saudi-supported food distribution, more than 3,000 households will receive separate household relief items jointly provided by the Benue State Government and NEMA.
The donation forms part of the 2026 Food Aid Project launched by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through KSrelief in partnership with NEMA.
Nationwide, the programme will distribute 24,302 food baskets valued at over $1.5 million to vulnerable households across Benue, Yobe, Anambra, Kebbi and Taraba States, benefiting more than 145,000 people affected by displacement, insecurity and humanitarian crises.
The intervention comes as thousands of families remain displaced in Benue following repeated attacks and communal violence that have forced many residents into temporary camps across the state.
Representing NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar, Director of Special Duties Fatimah Suleiman Kasim described the donation as another demonstration of the enduring humanitarian partnership between NEMA and KSrelief.
She noted that although it is the first time KSrelief is extending such support to Benue through NEMA, the intervention will complement government efforts to address humanitarian needs and strengthen community resilience.
Officials also urged beneficiaries to make good use of the food items while assuring that the distribution process would be conducted transparently and fairly.
The latest intervention underscores growing international collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s humanitarian challenges. As conflict and displacement continue to affect thousands of households in Benue and other states, authorities say partnerships between governments and humanitarian organisations remain critical to providing emergency relief and supporting long-term recovery for vulnerable communities.