The International Rescue Committee (IRC) says it has allocated $250,000 in emergency relief funds to support victims of the recent crises in Mangu local government area of Plateau State.
Babatunde Ojei, the IRC Country Director in Nigeria, in a statement, explained that the support was aimed at addressing the urgent needs of displaced individuals including water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives.
The statement added that the emergency relief is to address safety measures, economic recovery and development, and to incorporate safety principles across all intervention programmes.
He noted that the Plateau State has endured a long history of deadly conflicts and the current crisis has witnessed a distressing surge in casualties, property destruction, and mass displacement.
“In just over 4 months since the conflict began, almost 200 have been killed with many more individuals unaccounted for.”
He observed that the attacks have impacted 48 communities, some of which remain inaccessible, impeding accurate victim assessments.
In response to this escalating humanitarian crisis, the statement stated that the IRC has augmented its funding commitment to Plateau State, aiming to better meet the growing demands for water, food and shelter.
The situation in Plateau State, according to the statement, is dire, demanding immediate action and attention to aid those ensnared in the ongoing conflict.
The statement explained that the crises have persisted for far too long, causing unimaginable economic losses, with women and children being the most severely affected.
The statement called for a concrete approach to usher in lasting peace within the state and urged all parties involved in the conflicts and other stakeholders to explore options that can facilitate an end to the conflict in the region.