Lawyers Alert led the Open Society Foundations Delegationon Field visit to the Mega Internally Displaced Persons Camps in Makurdi

Lawyers Alert led a high-level delegation from the Open Society Foundations on a strategic field visit to the Mega Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps in Makurdi. The visit followed the official launch of the People-Centered Public Safety Programme by the Benue State Government and formed part of post-launch implementation engagements.

The visit was designed to provide the delegation with firsthand exposure to the safety and protection realities facing displaced communities in Benue State. It created an opportunity for direct interaction with camp residents, camp coordinators, and frontline actors working within the humanitarian space.

During the interactive sessions, displaced persons openly shared their experiences and ongoing challenges. Key issues highlighted included limited access to justice, cases of gender-based violence, documentation gaps, inadequate livelihood opportunities, and weak access to formal protection mechanisms.

The delegation also received a detailed briefing on the Legal Clinic established within the camp by Lawyers Alert. The clinic was created to bridge the justice gap for displaced persons and to institutionalize community-based legal protection within humanitarian settings.

Through the clinic, displaced persons receive free legal aid services, including rights awareness and legal literacy sessions, documentation of cases, mediation support, legal referrals, and full representation where necessary. The intervention is anchored on a survivor-centered and people-focused framework that prioritizes dignity, confidentiality, and access to effective remedies.

The engagement further demonstrated how justice delivery can be embedded within broader public safety reforms. It highlighted the importance of integrating community-level legal services into state-led security and protection architecture.

Overall, the field visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of Lawyers Alert, the Open Society Foundations, and the Benue State Government to strengthening people-centered safety systems. It underscored the need for coordinated, accountable, and community-responsive approaches that directly address the lived realities of displaced populations in Benue State.