UNDP kicks off support for victims of the conflict in Northeast Nigeria

UNDP has begun to implement a programme of early recovery in the northeast of Nigeria that will create hundreds of jobs while promoting peace and social cohesion among conflict-affected communities.

The violence in the northeast has destroyed lives and communities and displaced 1.4 million people, while 4.5 million are at risk of going hungry. Funded by the Government of Norway to the tune of USD 1.7 million, the programme will help communities in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States to making a living, as well as establish new networks to prevent conflict and promote dialogue.

UNDP will train an initial 500 women and youths so they can acquire the skills to work in a diversity of trades and disciplines, including producing metals, electrical installation, plumbing, computer and cellphone repair and catering. Many of them will also learn how to do book-keeping and accounting so they can operate small businesses of their own.

With the economy in these three states at a standstill, and the livelihoods of communities and households disrupted, the jobs will go a long way toward helping families to sustain themselves and restart their lives once the conflict has ended.

Working through the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), UNDP is also providing seeds, equipment and training so 1,400 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Adamawa and Borno States can grow and sell their own food.

In addition, the programme will establish an early warning system in the three States and Gombe State, allowing people to report incidents through text messages and dedicated social media platforms. The information will immediately be collected by monitors within the respective States who will transmit it to relevant authorities for follow-up action. In order to help prevent and resolve conflicts, programme participants will be trained in various aspects of conflict prevention and transformation, and community outreach.  

Thanks to the programme, psychosocial counselling and support for trauma healing will be dispensed to victims of violence, including many women and girls.

Earlier this month, UNDP, working with local partners, began to screen victims of the insurgency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, identifying close to 300 of them as eligible to participate in the programme. This exercise will continue in the coming weeks so as to identify more victims to be supportes.  

UNDP will work with beneficiaries for an initial period of 6 months to one year. They will be given secure accommodation and will paid a monthly stipend of USD100 for the entire period of the training.  At the end of the training, they will be assisted with equipment to establish their own businesses.

UNDP Nigeria is building on the success of a similar intervention targeted at victims of violent conflict implemented in Jos, Plateau State, North Central of Nigeria.