UN earmarks $40m to support victims of conflict in Northeast

UN earmarks $40m to support victims of conflict in Northeast

By: Ladi Jossy

United Nations Children Education Funds (UNICEF) and World Food Programme (WFP) have proposed to spend about $40 million to build resilience and social cohesion of156, 000 households of vulnerable people in the northeast ravaged by Boko Haram insurgents.

UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Dr Clement Adams disclosed this during a one day workshop and launching of the project held in Maidiguri on Tuesday.

According to him, the project will implement in Shani council of Borno state and Barde council of Yobe states respectively, the identified sectors are in nutrition, water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education, health and child protection.

He said the project is expected to help build confidence of children, adolescents, women and other vulnerable persons affected by the conflicts.

 “The project is estimated to be around $40 million, so the outcome will enhance and improved, inclusive and sustainable access to quality basic services and sustainable livelihood opportunities amongst others,” Adams said.

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WFP Head of Area Office Maiduguri,Mr Bernard Owadi said the expected beneficiaries of the project are in two groups; namely the direct beneficiaries totalling about 156,888 households and the indirect beneficiaries totalling 362,307 households, which target women, children and other vulnerable groups.

Bernard explained further that certain factors such as the choice of the donors, environmental, security, population, culture, fertile farmlands amongst others necessitate why Shani LGA in Borno state and Bade LGA in Yobe were chosen as a pilot project study.

Earlier, The State Commissioner of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Adamu Lawan thanked the donors and development partners for their humanitarian support, saying the support will help to restore peace and strengthen the already fragile public services in most communities across the state.

Adamu represented by Permanent Secretary of Finance, Budget and Planning, Ag. Stephen Pidar urged the UNICEF and WFP to sustain collaboration and willing to implement the multi sectoral interventions in LGA of Borno State which will help address the identified problems in the affected council area.

UN earmarks $40m to support victims of conflict in Northeast