The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has trained 26 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from six camps in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State as Auxiliary Social Workers (ASWs).
The training, held on Friday in Makurdi, was organized in collaboration with the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and Akawe Torkula Polytechnic.
Speaking at the event, UNICEF representative, Mr. Victor Atuchukwu, said the initiative aims to equip selected IDPs with the knowledge and skills needed to support professional social workers in providing essential services to displaced persons in the camps.
“The idea is to reinforce and strengthen the existing workforce in the camps. Service delivery is overstretched and limited, so this effort seeks to boost capacity for better protection and welfare of displaced persons, especially children,” Atuchukwu explained.
He added that UNICEF partnered with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and academic institutions, to ensure the success of the intervention.
According to him, the training became necessary because violence and abuse against children often occur in areas where social workers are unavailable.
“UNICEF decided to work through existing community-based structures in the camps, empowering them to identify, report, and prevent abuse and neglect,” he noted.
Atuchukwu also disclosed that plans were underway to extend the training to IDP camps in Guma and Gwer West local government areas. He revealed that the Benue State Government had pledged full support for the programme and agreed to provide monthly stipends for the auxiliary social workers to ensure sustainability.
The Head of Department, Social Work, Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, Dr. Terungwa Tyav, described the intervention as timely, noting that recent crises had left many children orphaned and vulnerable.
“There is an urgent need to train auxiliary social workers who can help protect these children and ensure they understand their rights. UNICEF’s effort to reintegrate and safeguard them is highly commendable,” Tyav said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Theresa Ikwue, represented by the Assistant Director of Child Development, Mrs. Janet Anebi, commended UNICEF for the partnership and described the training as a crucial step toward addressing child protection challenges in the camps.
“We have encountered many cases of child molestation within and around the camps. Having auxiliary social workers will strengthen our capacity to respond promptly and effectively,” she stated.
Ikwue urged the trained participants to take their duties seriously, noting that those who distinguish themselves may be considered for future employment in the ministry.
