Germany increases N/East stabilization support to $75m

The German Government says it has increased its support for the Regional Stabilization Facility across the Lake Chad Region to $75m.

A statement Thursday by the German Mission in Nigeria said the increment was after additional €15 million that the German Government provided recently to the United Nations Development Programme to assist in the reintegration of Boko Haram members who surrendered.

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German Ambassador Birgitt Ory, together with UN Resident Coordinator Matthias Schmale and UNDP Resident Representative Mohammed Yahya, visited Borno State on March 9 and met with local government leaders, UN agencies and humanitarian organizations. Ory also visited Ngarannam town in Mafa LGA destroyed by insurgents and uninhabited since 2015.

“Our stabilization programme in Nigeria since 2019 has shown that with strong government ownership and a committed partner like UNDP-Nigeria, it is possible to create perspectives and hope for the Nigerian people in the Northeast.

“The programme has already transformed the lives of thousands of Nigerians in Banki. Now, around 3.000 displaced people will return to Ngarannam to rebuild their livelihoods.

“Our commitment to rebuilding communities and contributing to sustainable peace remains stronger than ever.” she said.

The German Government has supported reconstruction in Ngarannam through the “Regional Stabilization Facility. This programme is supported by Germany, being the largest contributor, since 2019, together with other European partners, as well as Nigerian government institutions on all levels.

“It aims to restore essential infrastructure and provide livelihood opportunities in communities previously affected by violent conflict in the Lake Chad region.