In a place better known for stories of survival than celebration, the sound of a baby’s first cry echoed through the Ultra-Modern Market Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Makurdi, Nigeria, offering a rare moment of hope amid hardship.

That cry belonged to the newborn son of Helen Williams, a mother of four who had fled her home in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, after armed attackers invaded her village. Helen, eight months pregnant at the time, walked miles under cover of darkness, escaping violence and uncertainty, to seek safety at the camp, which now shelters over 3,000 displaced individuals.

“I didn’t know if I would make it. I was afraid for my life and for my baby’s. Every day, I prayed to survive and deliver in safety,” Helen said.

FLEEING VIOLENCE, FINDING HOPE

The attack on her village shattered the life she had carefully built. Her home was reduced to ashes. Families were torn apart. Yet, in the midst of this chaos, Helen clung to life—not just her own, but that of her unborn child.

Upon arriving at the Makurdi camp, she was met with crowded conditions and limited resources. But thanks to the support of UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and and dedicated volunteer midwives, she was able to give birth safely under a makeshift shelter made of tarpaulin and cloth.

“He is my miracle,” Helen said, gazing at her newborn. “Even with all the pain, he reminds me that life goes on.”

UNICEF: DELIVERING COMPASSION IN CRISIS

UNICEF’s ongoing humanitarian response in Benue State has been crucial in supporting women like Helen. Through its field presence and health interventions, the organization has helped ensure access to life-saving maternal care in the IDP camp’s health center.

“In the face of crisis, our compassion becomes the first medicine, our dedication the first hope,” said Gerida Birukila, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Kaduna. “Every step we take brings healing where it’s needed most.”

UNICEF has also facilitated the delivery of essential drugs and medical supplies, enabling nearly 1,800 women and children in the camp to receive timely, quality healthcare.

GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP AMPLIFIES IMPACT

The Benue State Ministry of Health acknowledged UNICEF’s critical role during the ongoing displacement crisis.

“No matter the situation, our goal is always a safe delivery for both mother and child,” said Dr. Joshua Agbado, Director of Medical Services in the ministry. “We are grateful for UNICEF’s intervention during this persistent emergency.”

WHY THIS MATTERS

This story is more than a tale of survival; it is a symbol of strength, maternal courage, and community support. In Helen’s journey lies the collective story of thousands of displaced Nigerian women who, despite unimaginable loss, continue to nurture life and hope.

It also underscores the urgent need for continued investment in maternal and child healthcare in crisis-affected areas—and the transformative impact of humanitarian partnerships like that of UNICEF and the Benue State government.