Flood: Makurdi camp registers 4,775 persons – Manager

The International Market camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Makurdi has so far registered 4,775 persons, the Camp Manager, Mr James Iorhuna, said.

He told our reporter on Tuesday in Makurdi that the camp was in compliance with international standards.

The camp was set up following flood which displaced more than 100,000 persons in Benue and affected
21 local governments.

Iorhuna said a total number of 4,775 persons, including children, women and men were so far registered at the camp.

He added that “we have so far registered 1,387 male children, 1,349 female children, 531 men, 642 women, 585 children under the age of five, 92 pregnant women, 115 nursing mothers and 74 physically challenged persons.”

The camp manager said UNICEF had already provided water and 40 toilets at the camp, while other basic needs of the IDPs were being met.

Mrs Joy Leva, a mother of twins living at the camp, appealed to government, donor agencies and individuals to assist her in feeding the children.

Leva, however, said that her children who were suffering from catarrh as a result of the flood and their stay in the camp were responding to treatment after being attended to by medical team at the camp.

She added that “I have four children in all out of which two are twins. We were first displaced from the Airforce area as a result of the Jukun/Tiv crisis few months ago before we relocated to Gyado villa where our house was flooded.

“We were sleeping when the incident occurred and we were unable to take anything out of our thatch house before it collapsed.

“At the moment, the only thing we have were items giving to us by camp officials.

“My husband works as labourer, while I have no hand work. I want to appeal to government to help me in feeding my children as I am overwhelmed with the situation.”