By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – As violence continues in the country, especially in Benue State following the clashes between farmers and herdsmen, an overwhelming majority of internally displaced persons in (IDPs) camps, mostly women and children are indeed faced with several severe challenges which ranges from starvation, epidemics and in fact, shelter.
The Middle-belt group has expressed worries over the growing number of IDPs even as the estimated figure hits 1,597,000, saying Governor Samuel Ortom have been over stretched.
Leader of the Group, Mr Godwin Gang said apart from not having a comfortable place of abode, the unfortunate IDPs in the State, now have to contend with hunger and starvation as well as poor absence of healthcare.
Gang said the agony of these innocent victims can best be linked to the drastic reduction in the quantity and quality of food being served them, a situation that has further spawned serious health challenges.
Recall that our correspondent recently did a heartbreaking report on the plight of the IDPs after a visit to one of the deplorable camps in the State where it was evident that food shortage-acute hunger, poor shelter and absence of basic medical facilities represents the major problems confronting the internally displaced persons.
Sadly, this camp is located in Benue State known as the food basket of the nation.
“For people who were earning their living through farming and making the State proud as the food basket of the nation, to be confined in one place like animals is devastating. It is clearly written on their faces”, Gang said.
Disturbingly, upon investigation, our correspondent gathered that over 200 IDPs down with malaria, cough , diarrhea, among other skin diseases. The IDPs who looked malnourished appealed.
Narrating their ordeals, some of the IDPs who spoke to the Middle-belt group said, “ We are suffering . in fact, we are facing hard times due to acute shortage of food, relief materials, appropriate shelter and medical facilities.
They said although Governor Ortom visited them with some supplies, they were grossly inadequate to cater for all the IDPs in the camp.
“They even pointed out to some critically-ill patients in the camp who need urgent medical attention but have been neglected. We are badly depressed and cannot continue to wait for death. A middle aged man, Mr, Tsarver, told Gang.
According to him: “I am shocked that as IDPs, we are more disadvantaged than refugees because we do not benefit from assistance provided by international agencies unless the national government requests for such assistance.
“The way and manner IDPs live their life is somewhat worrisome. Yet, the society does not recognise the fact that the internally displaced persons once had a dream”, the IDP inmate told the Middle-belt group.