By Abiola Olawale
The World Bank says it has approved a $300 million (N462 billion) funding package to support 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their host communities in Nigeria.
The initiative, known as the Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities Project (SOLID), is said to be aimed at enhancing access to essential services and economic opportunities in conflict-affected regions.
The New Diplomat gathered that the project is set to benefit up to 7.4 million people across selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) in that region.
Recall that Northern Nigeria has been facing a protracted displacement crisis, with over 3.5 million people forced from their homes due to armed conflict, banditry, and communal clashes, including the Boko Haram insurgency.
The New Diplomat’s checks also revealed that these challenges have strained local infrastructure, limited access to clean water, healthcare, and education, and increased vulnerabilities, particularly for women and children.
In response, the World Bank explained in a statement that by adopting an integrated development strategy, the SOLID Project seeks to help both IDPs and host communities move towards greater self-sufficiency and resilience, in line with Nigeria’s long-term development goals.
The statement reads in part: “Ongoing conflict and insecurity in Northern Nigeria have forced more than 3.5 million people from their homes, putting significant strain on local infrastructure in areas where IDPs have settled.
“The resulting population surge has led to limited access to services and increased vulnerability to natural disasters like flooding. Local governments are unable to fully address these challenges and meet the needs of both residents and displaced populations. This has led to competition for scarce resources and limited livelihood opportunities for all.
“The SOLID Project will build on previous efforts by the Nigerian government, international partners, and the earlier World Bank-supported Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP), which focused on short-term emergency recovery.”
According to the financial institution, key priorities for the project include the following: Developing and maintaining climate-resilient infrastructure as well as promoting social cohesion and community resilience through participatory development planning, economic cooperatives, and the integration of IDPs.
