Benue Women Affairs Ministry Commends UNHCR on GBV Response, Humanitarian Support
By Joy Akor and Ochanya Okoh | 7th May, 2026
The Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare has commended the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its swift intervention in gender-based violence (GBV), child protection, and humanitarian services aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable and displaced persons across the state.
The Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Mrs. Theresa Odachi Ikwue gave the commendation on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the UNHCR delegation led by the Head of Sub-Office, Ogoja, Ms. Irene Omondi, alongside the Head of the Makurdi Field Office, Ms. Evelyn Happy Katono, at the ministry’s headquarters.
Mrs. Ikwue described the organisation’s contributions as timely and impactful, noting that the ministry deeply appreciates the commitment of the UNHCR regional leadership toward humanitarian services.
She assured the team that the ministry would continue to publicise the organisation’s interventions through its official communication platforms, including the ministry’s website, to enhance prompt reporting and awareness.
The Commissioner disclosed that the ministry has intensified efforts to combat GBV in the state through strategic stakeholder engagement and the recruitment of 598 auxiliary social workers deployed across the 23 local government areas of Benue State to strengthen response mechanisms and support survivors.
She further applauded the collaborative efforts of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF, and UNHCR in building the capacity of ministry staff through workshops and training programmes focused on addressing the challenges faced by displaced communities and vulnerable groups.
Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to partnership, Mrs. Ikwue stated that the dedication shown by humanitarian workers, particularly Ms. Irene Omondi serves as a strong motivation for greater collaboration in improving the lives of vulnerable Nigerians. She stressed that the work of the ministry is rooted in compassion and urged directors and heads of departments to extend love, care, and support to displaced and vulnerable persons within their communities.
Earlier, the Head of UNHCR Sub-Office, Ogoja, Ms. Irene Omondi commended the ministry for its active involvement and coordination with relevant stakeholders in addressing GBV cases and ensuring the safety, livelihood, and protection of vulnerable persons.
Ms. Omondi highlighted the organisation’s strategic plans to strengthen support systems for survivors by creating a coordinated structure that would enable vulnerable persons to access effective care and protection services in one location. She reiterated that protection remains a core mandate of the UNHCR and assured the ministry of the organisation’s readiness to enhance safety measures and provide sustained support for vulnerable communities.
She further revealed that the ministry has been selected as one of the key partners for ongoing training programmes and evaluation processes aimed at improving early reporting, monitoring, and response to GBV-related cases. She also disclosed plans by the organisation to establish a one-stop support centre for survivors and vulnerable persons.
In her welcome remarks, the Director of Women Affairs, Mrs. Magdalene Andor expressed profound appreciation to the UNHCR and its partners for their continued support and pledged the ministry staff’s commitment to ensuring effective service delivery to vulnerable communities across the state.