UNFPA Flags Urgent SRH, GBV Needs Among Displaced Populations in Benue State,North Central Nigeria By Raymond Enoch
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has raised fresh concerns over the deepening humanitarian and public health challenges confronting displaced populations in Benue State, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV), following a rapid assessment conducted at a mega internally displaced persons (IDP) camp hosting a population of 8,740 individuals.
The assessment, which provided an opportunity for direct engagement with affected communities, government officials, and humanitarian partners, paints a stark picture of the realities facing thousands of displaced families. According to UNFPA, the visit not only exposed significant gaps in life-saving services but also reinforced the urgent need for coordinated, data-driven interventions to address the growing burden on women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.
Drawing from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Nigeria Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report of February 13, 2026, the scale of displacement in Benue remains alarming. The report indicates that the state is currently home to a total of 608,430 displaced persons, comprising 464,543 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 143,887 returnees. These figures reflect the cumulative impact of persistent insecurity, communal clashes, and climate-related shocks that have forced families from their homes and into overcrowded camps and host communities.
Within this fragile context, UNFPA warns that the reproductive health needs of the population are both extensive and urgent. Current estimates show that 10,906 women in displacement settings are pregnant, while 14,541 live births are expected within the next 12 months. Additionally, the population includes 155,150 women of reproductive age, underscoring the sheer scale of demand for maternal health services, family planning, and other critical SRH interventions.
The agency further notes that 14,624 adults are living with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), highlighting persistent gaps in access to diagnosis, treatment, and preventive services. This burden is compounded by limited healthcare infrastructure in displacement settings, where facilities are often overstretched, under-resourced, or entirely absent.
Of particular concern is the heightened risk of gender-based violence. UNFPA estimates that 2,799 survivors of sexual violence are expected to seek care, a figure that likely underrepresents the true magnitude of the problem due to underreporting driven by stigma, fear, and lack of accessible services. The agency emphasized the need to intensify GBV prevention efforts while ensuring that survivors have access to confidential, survivor-centered care, including medical, psychosocial, and legal support.
The data also reveals mixed progress in the uptake of family planning services. While 21,411 women of reproductive age are currently using modern contraceptives, disparities remain significant. Of these, 11,776 rely on injectable contraception, 6,423 use combined oral contraceptive pills, 4,282 use implants, and 1,071 depend on intrauterine devices (IUDs). In addition, 4,282 women use female condoms. Among men, 24,337 sexually active individuals report condom use, compared to a broader population of 121,686 sexually active men, indicating a substantial unmet need for contraceptive awareness and access.
UNFPA underscores that expanding equitable access to family planning is not only essential for improving health outcomes but also critical for advancing broader development goals. The agency advocates for intensified outreach efforts that prioritize marginalized and hard-to-reach populations, particularly those in displacement settings.
Maternal and newborn health risks also feature prominently in the assessment findings. Projections suggest that a significant number of pregnancies may result in complications, with hundreds of thousands of women potentially requiring medical interventions. The data indicates that a considerable number of deliveries will require caesarean sections, estimated between 260 and 285 cases, underscoring the importance of strengthening emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) services across affected areas.
Further projections highlight the risk of adverse outcomes, including 13,144 stillbirths and over one million newborns expected to experience complications if adequate care is not provided. These figures illustrate the life-threatening consequences of gaps in maternal healthcare, particularly in emergency settings where timely access to skilled birth attendants and functional health facilities can mean the difference between life and death.
Beyond immediate health concerns, UNFPA situates the crisis within the broader context of demographic change. The agency notes that Benue State has a total fertility rate (TFR) of 3.5 births per woman, which is lower than the national average of 4.8. This indicates that the state is progressing through a fertility transition, presenting an opportunity to harness a demographic dividend if appropriate investments are made.
However, UNFPA cautions that this opportunity remains largely untapped, particularly among displaced populations. The agency emphasizes that demographic dividend programming has yet to be effectively cascaded to these communities, limiting their ability to benefit from improved health, education, and economic opportunities.
To address this gap, UNFPA calls for the institutionalization of demographic dividend strategies that prioritize sustained investment in girls’ education, women’s empowerment, and equitable access to reproductive health services. According to the agency, these interventions are essential for accelerating fertility decline, improving human capital, and fostering inclusive economic growth.
The assessment also highlights the importance of data-driven decision-making in humanitarian response. UNFPA advocates for the use of disaggregated data to inform adaptive programming, ensuring that interventions are tailored to the specific needs of different population groups, including adolescents, women, and persons with disabilities.
In this regard, the agency points to the significant number of adolescents in the affected population, estimated at 57,375 individuals aged 10 to 19. This demographic group faces unique challenges, including limited access to education, heightened vulnerability to exploitation, and restricted access to youth-friendly health services. Addressing their needs, UNFPA notes, is critical for breaking cycles of poverty and vulnerability.
The agency further emphasizes the need to strengthen antenatal care (ANC) continuity and ensure the readiness of EmONC services. This includes improving the availability of skilled health personnel, essential medicines, and functional referral systems capable of handling obstetric emergencies.
Economic empowerment also emerges as a key pillar of UNFPA’s recommended response. The agency stresses that providing women with opportunities for income generation and financial independence can significantly enhance their resilience, reduce vulnerability to exploitation, and improve overall household well-being.
During the assessment visit, UNFPA teams engaged with officials from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), as well as implementing partners working within the camp. These interactions helped to identify priority needs, strengthen coordination mechanisms, and explore opportunities for more integrated service delivery.
The agency notes that collaboration among stakeholders is essential for maximizing the impact of limited resources and avoiding duplication of efforts. By fostering stronger partnerships between government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and local communities, UNFPA aims to ensure a more coherent and effective response to the crisis.
Importantly, the findings from the rapid assessment are expected to inform immediate and long-term interventions. UNFPA states that the insights gained will guide the deployment of targeted, life-saving services while also shaping strategic planning efforts aimed at building more resilient health systems.
The agency reiterates that addressing the needs of displaced populations in Benue requires sustained commitment and investment from both national and international actors. Without urgent action, the current gaps in SRH and GBV services risk worsening, with potentially devastating consequences for women, girls, and future generations.
As the humanitarian situation in Benue continues to evolve, UNFPA’s call to action underscores the critical importance of prioritizing reproductive health and protection services within the broader response framework. By placing the needs of the most vulnerable at the center of interventions, stakeholders can not only save lives but also lay the foundation for recovery, stability, and long-term development.
Ultimately, the crisis in Benue serves as a stark reminder of the intersection between displacement, health, and human dignity. For the thousands of women and girls navigating life in IDP camps, access to quality healthcare and protection services is not merely a necessity—it is a fundamental right that must be urgently upheld.
