UNICEF, WFP launch phase II resilience, peace building project in Yobe

UNICEF, WFP launch phase II resilience, peace building project in Yobe

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) on Thursday unveiled the second phase of the Resilience and Social Cohesion (Peace) Project in Damaturu, Yobe.

Ms Rownak Khan, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, said the project was jointly implemented by UNICEF and WFP, with funding support from the German Government through KfW Development Bank.

She explained that the initiative seeks to deepen peacebuilding, improve service delivery, and strengthen local systems in three Local Government Areas of Bade, Jakusko and Potiskum.

“Resilience is not just a concept; it is a right. And peace is not merely a goal, it is a necessity for every child, woman, and household in Northeast Nigeria,” Khan said.

She noted that the second phase will run until December 2026, targeting over 200,000 beneficiaries with integrated reintegration packages, grassroots peacebuilding initiatives, and enhanced local leadership.

Khan said Phase I of the project, which ran from 2021 to 2024, reached more than 150,000 people across the region.

According to her, it provided access to health, education, nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), child protection, and livelihoods.

She added that nearly 40,000 out-of-school children were enrolled back in school during the first phase, while over 300,000 people gained access to safe water.

“These are not just outputs, they represent hope restored, dignity upheld, and resilience seeded,” she said.

Khan commended the partnership of state and local governments, but expressed concern over dwindling humanitarian funding.

She warned that financial cuts are already disrupting operations and partnerships, especially for local and national NGOs.

“Our partners, often the most agile and cost-effective, are the most affected. Many have had to scale down or suspend activities when their support is critically needed,” she said.

Khan stressed that localisation and state ownership must become immediate priorities.

“The Government of Nigeria bears the primary responsibility for the welfare and safety of its people. Transition requires planning, co-investment and a whole-of-government approach”.

She called for increased state financing, coordinated planning, and stronger community engagement to sustain services and institutionalise resilience.

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Also speaking, Mr Guy Adoua, WFP’s Deputy Country Director, said the collaboration between WFP and UNICEF complements efforts to build resilience and promote social equity.

“While WFP focuses on food security and nutrition, UNICEF provides support in education, WASH, and child protection. Together, we deliver a holistic response to the needs of our communities,” he said.

Adoua outlined WFP’s interventions, including the provision of irrigation systems, storage facilities, poultry infrastructure, and food assistance to promote self-reliance.

“We have provided direct food aid for over a decade, but the way forward is clear, durable solutions, communities must be empowered to produce their own food and sustain themselves long after humanitarian actors are gone,” he said.

He reaffirmed WFP’s commitment to resilience-building and urged stakeholders to sustain the momentum through inclusive planning, infrastructure development, and investment in livelihoods.