By John Moses
Authorities in Benue State have confirmed the birth of 15 babies and registered 122 pregnant women at a recently established Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area.
The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) disclosed the figures on Monday, revealing that the camp now hosts 4,685 displaced individuals, spread across 1,739 households.
Speaking at a media briefing in the state capital, Makurdi, the agency’s Head of Administration, Mr Donald Komgbenda, provided a demographic breakdown: 2,960 of those registered are female, with the remaining 1,725 being male.
“Among the female population, 122 are pregnant. So far, 15 children have been delivered safely within the camp,” Komgbenda stated.
However, the camp—housed on the grounds of a local market—continues to operate without electricity, toilets, or an adequate water supply. Komgbenda noted that the state government is attempting to alleviate water scarcity by dispatching six water trucks daily, though he acknowledged this falls short of the community’s full needs.
“We are in discussions to address these shortfalls,” he said. “At present, the living conditions are not ideal.”
He praised humanitarian agencies and donors for their ongoing support, which he said was vital in maintaining some level of comfort for the camp’s inhabitants.
