FG, EU Sign N325m Support for Victims of Insurgency in Borno

James Emejo The federal government and the European Union have signed a €1.5 million (about N325 million) agreement to implement the Community Based Psychosocial Support and Protection Services for Children and Adolescents in Borno State.

The programme, which would be implemented by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the Borno State Government will provide first aid services to 45,000 children affected by the ongoing insurgency in the state.

In addition, those who require sustained support to recover from the trauma they have suffered will be referred to specialist services.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja at the weekend, the Minister of National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, said the project which falls under the social infrastructure and services sector of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), will contribute to mitigating the negative psychosocial implications of the humanitarian crisis that currently plaque Borno State.

Education and health services including immunisation activities have largely been disrupted by the insurgency.

He said the funding would promote a community-led protective environment for children and adolescents through strengthening community based services including psychological assistance.

The minister said the project would help to restore confidence and access to health and education services by helping to restore the psychological well-being of children and adolescents who have been exposed directly or indirectly o traumatic or distressing incidents related to the emergency.

He said the project would be implemented in 300 communities in 11 local governments areas of the state for a period of three years.

He said: “By authorising the finance agreement today, Nigeria will be on the right path to mitigate the adverse impact of social upheavals and insecurity in Borno State. This, we also believe will significantly assist Nigeria in achieving its developmental goals articulated in the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 and transformation agenda of Mr. President.”

The programme is part of the wider humanitarian assistance programme being implemented by UNICEF and other UN agencies in the North-east.