Catholic Missionary Sisters Restore Dignity Through Empowerment Programs In Benue State Internally Displaced Persons Camps

Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary provide food, skills training, and education to families in Benue IDP camps to restore dignity and hope.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 27, 2026, 4:47 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Vatican News

Ministering To The Displaced In The Middle Belt

The Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, MSHR, have intensified their humanitarian efforts within the volatile Middle Belt region of Nigeria, specifically targeting the International Market and Daudu camps in Benue State. Following a decade of escalating insecurity fueled by land disputes and armed attacks, thousands of families have been forced to abandon their ancestral homes. The sisters have stepped into the vacuum left by inadequate state security, providing a consistent presence for survivors who have witnessed the destruction of their livelihoods and the loss of family members in nocturnal raids.

Personal Accounts Of Survival And Loss

Survivors at the Makurdi based camps recount harrowing experiences of the June 2025 attacks in the Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 people were reportedly killed. Cypraian Targule, a displaced father, noted that the transition from independent farming to camp life has been psychologically taxing, as he is no longer able to provide for his four children through traditional means. Similarly, Dekaa Elizabeth, who lost her brother and several nephews, highlighted the persistent daily struggles with water shortages and inadequate sanitation that define the IDP experience, noting that spiritual encouragement from the sisters remains a primary source of resilience.

Vocational Training As A Pathway To Independence

Since 2022, the MSHR initiative has evolved from emergency food distribution to a comprehensive vocational empowerment program. Recognizing that long term displacement requires sustainable solutions, the sisters offer training in diverse technical fields including sewing, laundry services, hairdressing, shoemaking, and plumbing. Upon completion of these courses, participants are equipped with start-up kits designed to facilitate their entry into the local economy. This shift toward skill acquisition is intended to help younger IDPs reclaim their agency and eventually transition out of the camp environment entirely.