Six years ago, YARAC arrived at the Abagena-Agan IDP Camp in Benue State with two trailer loads of relief materials and a deep commitment to the dignity of displaced people. Today, reflecting on that intervention, the story is no longer just about what was given – it is about who those people have become.
The Intervention
With the generous support of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, YARAC distributed immediate food and non-food relief items to displaced families and caregivers at the Abagena-Agan IDP Camp. The intervention reached five thousand vulnerable households affected by conflict and displacement, providing bags of rice, maize, wheat, and flour, alongside beverages, clothing, and mosquito nets.
In the middle of that outreach, a baby girl named Mwuese was born – daughter of a camp volunteer —-amidst hardship and hope. Today, Mwuese is six years old. She has known no other home but the camp. Her story is a quiet but insistent reminder that beyond relief distribution, the journey toward durable solutions for displaced families continues – and it is a collective responsibility.
Beyond Relief: Building Self-Reliance
YARAC understood from the beginning that food parcels alone cannot restore dignity or build futures. That is why the intervention extended into vocational skills training for 800 young girls and boys from both the IDP camp and the host community. Beneficiaries received starter packs to begin small businesses, fostering self-reliance and a sense of purpose.
Six years on, several of these young people have completed secondary education, gained tertiary admission, and successfully established welding businesses, motorcycle repair enterprises, and petty trading ventures – contributing to their families’ livelihoods and to the resilience of their communities.
A Reaffirmed Commitment
As YARAC reflects on this work, the organization reaffirms its commitment to empowering displaced and vulnerable people, not just with immediate relief, but with the skills, opportunities, and support systems needed to rebuild. The work continues.
