The United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development (FCDO) has said it would spend N4, 223,496,406.14 as a grant through the CARE International-Nigeria to implement a 19-month ‘Strengthening Protection Services and Resilience’ project in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
The project is scheduled to reach 37,500 women, children and marginalised groups, including internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities disproportionately affected by the years of violent conflict.
The CARE Nigeria’s country director, Dr Hussaini Abdu, who revealed this Friday in a statement, added that the project would cover five local government areas, namely, Borno (Jere and Bama), Adamawa (Yola North), and Yobe (Potiskum and Gujba).
During the simultaneous launch of the project in the three states, Dr. Abdu, called for support and co-operations in ensuring a successful implementation of the project.
“I expressed my commendation to FCDO for its long-standing commitment and support to the communities affected by the over a decade long conflict in the Northeast,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the FCDO, Acting Team Leader, Humanitarian and Resilience Team, Ms. Sarah Maynard, expressed FCDO’s commitment to the important work in Northeast Nigeria.
She said, “The humanitarian crisis in the North East matters deeply to the UK and we are very proud to be a leading humanitarian donor supporting people in need demonstrating the UK commitment. Last year I can mention that we provided 37m pounds in life, saving support to the humanitarian response.”
Specifically, the project will provide a coordinated and integrated response to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV); address negative gender and social norms that create barriers to women’s access to quality protection services; and build the capacity of women-led civil society organizations that support protection needs of women and girls.
The launch of the project implemented in partnership with NEEM Foundation, Nigeria INGO Forum (NIF), and Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), provided stakeholders with a platform to engage and ensure their collective buy-in and ownership of the project.
