By Mohammed Dala Lawan
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched Phase II of its Joint Resilience and Social Cohesion Project in Northeast Nigeria. The project, implemented in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Yobe State, aims to promote peace, stability, and resilience in the region.
Speaking at the launch event in Damaturu, Yobe State capital, UNICEF’s Deputy Country Representative, Ms. Rownak Khan, emphasized the importance of resilience and peace in the Northeast.
“Resilience is not just a concept, it is a right. And peace is not just a goal, it is a necessity for every child, every woman, and every household in Northeast Nigeria”.
Rownak Khan stated,
Ms. Khan noted that the project has already reached over 150,000 people in its first phase, providing essential services in health, education, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), child protection, and livelihood support.
She explained that Phase II of the project will extend its reach to over 200,000 people in five local government areas across the Northeast, including Bade, Jakusko, and Potiskum in Yobe State.
Khan added that the project is supported by the German Federal Government through the KfW Development Bank, However, funding shortfalls are threatening the project’s ability to deliver aid and save lives.
In his remarks, the WFP Deputy Country Representative, Guy Adoua, highlighted the organization’s partnership with UNICEF, stating that they work together to complement each other’s efforts.
He noted that WFP has been focusing on food security by providing direct food assistance to communities for over a decade.
He further states that WFP is now planning to provide durable solutions by empowering communities with farm inputs, such as solar-powered water pumps for irrigation farming systems, poultry, and infrastructure to support food production and self-reliance.
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