The German Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have partnered in efforts to stabilise the Lake Chad Basin region, under the proposed initiative `Integrated Regional Stabilisation of the Lake Chad Basin’
The German Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have partnered in efforts to stabilise the Lake Chad Basin region, under the proposed initiative `Integrated Regional Stabilisation of the Lake Chad Basin’.
Germany has pledged US$7,070,782 towards the implementation of UNDP projects aimed at rebuilding livelihoods and stabilising crisis-affected communities.
The grant is part of Germany’s commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts in countries in the Lake Chad Basin, such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
Efforts will be made to boost sustainable recovery and ensure the return and stabilisation of internally displaced persons and communities affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
A main objective of the project is to launch a common approach to stabilisation between the four Lake Chad Basin countries, including the prevention of violent extremism through cross-border management processes.
Another is to strengthen communal security, local governance and peacebuilding and reconciliation policies.
Furthermore, the project will assist in the reintegration of civilian militia groups and former fighters into communities, including those communities affected by extremist activity.
With cross-border cooperation crucial to the project’s efefctiveness, it will also aid communication between decentralised authorities and decision makers in over 20 communities within the four countries.
In its first phase, the project is to offer employment opportunities to 10,000 young people exposed to violent extremism, and begin the reintegration of 15,000 former Boko Haram members and associated persons.
It is also expected to benefit 3,000,000 people through reconciliation activities, 80,000 through stabilisation activities, 2,700 former militia through reintegration, and 10 local governments by reinforcing their administrative capacities.
Overall, around 4,800,000 people are estimated to indirectly benefit from the project’s implementation.
The Boko Haram insurgency in North East Nigeria and its spread to neighbouring countries has led to the displacement of over 10 million people and the destruction of basic infrastructure, commercial and private buildings, educational and health facilities, and agricultural assets.
UNDP Resident Representative for Nigeria, Edward Kallon, said: “UNDP will continue to work to across the humanitarian-development nexus, in line with the vision of the UN Secretary-General, and based on the commitments reached by the Lake Chad Basin countries, in order to promote sustainable return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and resilience of communities to both external and internal shocks.”
