United States (U.S.) Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organisation (WHO) have signed $10.5 million grant agreement to assist Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast.
Mrs. Ratidzal Ndhlovu, who spoke on behalf of USAID at the event in Abuja yesterday, said they were delighted in signing such agreement, tagged: “Integrated Humanitarian Assistance for Northeast Nigeria”.
She said insurgency remains the biggest security challenge in Nigeria, adding that it has affected 24.5 million people.
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“Since the insurgency started, we have witnessed an upsurge against civilians, schools, religious houses as well as mass abduction of women and children,’’ she said.
Mrs. Ratidzal, who decried the deplorable condition of insurgency survivors,(IDPs) said they urgently need healthcare and psychosocial support.
She said the partners would ensure that IDPs in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe have access to basic primary health facilities.
Mrs. Ratidzal said those areas of intervention would include reproductive health, communicable and non communicable disease and nutrition.
She said other areas were immunisation, water, sanitation, psychosocial support and prevention of gender-based violence.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador James Entwistle, said the insurgency in Northeast has created a complex economic crisis affecting millions of people.
Entwistle added that along with other international partners, U.S. was proud to support Nigeria in its fight against insurgency and terrorism.
“The U.S. welcomes President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to taking necessary action to end insurgency,” he said.
Governors Mohammed Jubrilla of Adamawa, Kashim Shetima of Borno and Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe witnessed the event.
