ECOWAS DONTES NINE HUNDRED AND SIX THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED AND TWO FIVE ($906,205) DOLLARS FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE TO NIGERIA

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The Economic Community of West Africa States has donated Nine Hundred and six thousand, two hundred and two five ($906,205) dollars for Humanitarian Response to affected Populations for Post 2022 Flood Disaster, Food and Nutrition Assistance to Support the Vulnerable People in Northern Nigeria.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, stated during the flagging meeting of implementation fund in Abuja.

Professor Sow-sarr explain that additional one million dollars ($1000,000) will also be given to support and stabilize the victims of 2023 violence in Nigeria.

She said, “Both funds are intended to assist the populations affected in their recovery and resilience-building processes.

“Accordingly, in line with the provisions of the ECOWAS Humanitarian Mechanism which provides for the processes and procedures of delivering humanitarian assistance to ECOWAS Citizens, the Nigerian Government through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty alleviation was requested to identify credible implementing partners as implementors of the projects.”

“Hence, the Nigerian Red Cross Society was presented is implementing the flood disaster response while the World Food Programe WFP-Nigeria) is implementing the Stabilization project.”

“The needs which were identified through extensive and careful assessment by our capable implementing partners evaluated by the Nigerian Government in collaboration with the ECOWAS team, will in doubt, enable us to touch the lives of the people identified.” She explained.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mr. Abel Enitan, who was represented by the Director Special Duties Mrs. Agnes Aneke, acknowledged that Nigeria was facing multi-dimensional crises that has continued to disrupt the livelihoods of citizens and explained that the project was targeting eighteen thousand, one hundred and ninety-four beneficiaries across eight states to include Katsina, Sokoto, Adamawa, Kogi, Kebbi, Oyo, Rivers and Anambra states.

“This is a substantial support for the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria and it is coming at a time when funding for humanitarian assistance is dwindling globally and also approaching the lean season”. She explained.

Earlier, the Director of Humanitarian Affairs in the Ministry Mr. Valentine Ezulu added that the project is expected to improve food insecurity and malnutrition in the selected states for the Internally Displaced Persons and vulnerable groups.

“It is pertinent to note at this juncture, that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation appreciates the ECOWAS for considering commencing the Phase 2 of the Project in Katsina and Sokoto States a indicated by the Ministry based on the malnutrition experienced in ther States.” He said.

He assured that the outcome would be immediate needs of the target Communities are met through the provision of Essential Household Items (EHIs) including Food and Non-food Item.

The Deputy Country Representative of World Food Programme Mr. Guy Adoua said the project has restored hope to vulnerable Nigerians in the affected states and commended ECOWAS for the initiative to provide relief to Nigerians.

“Our work in Nigeria is to help design projects that would provide good nutrition to Nigerians and psycho-social support to citizens. I strongly support and presume that the project will get to the people and we will continue to work together to ensure that the objectives are met” He added.

On his part, the Director, Disaster Management of the Nigerian Redcross Society Mr. Benson Agbor explained that in an effort to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable in Nigeria, at the end of last year the Nigerian Red Cross Society signed a tripartite agreement with Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (FMHAPA) in support of vulnerable households in flood affected communities in Adamawa, Anambra, Oyo, Kebbi, Kogi and Rivers states.

He further explained that the joint efforts will include the provision of food and cash assistance to 3,500 households.

“We will also focus on constructing 12 water boreholes to ensure access to clean water, thereby reducing the risk of water-borne diseases in selected communities.”

“ECOWAS is supporting this laudable initiative with Nine hundred and six thousand, two hundred and five dollars ($906,205).”. He explained.

Representative of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Olawole Awai described the initiative as a basic necessity of life that would provide relief for a better future for vulnerable Nigerians and urged the managers of the fund to ensure that it was used judiciously.

The project will be executed by the Nigerian Red cross society and The Federal Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Humanitarian affairs will oversee the implementation of the project to ensure that the project meet the need of the beneficiaries.

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