Japan donates $1m to IDPs in Nigeria

The Government of Japan has decided to extend Emergency Grant Aid of USD 1 Million to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for “Protection and Provision of Targeted Assistance to IDPs and Returnees in Northeast Nigeria” in response to the humanitarian challenges faced by IDPs and returnees in the North East.

The emergency grant aid is expected to contribute in achieving improved sanitation and provision of sanitation materials to reduce health hazard; increase livelihood opportunities in areas of return; provide alternative sources of energy for food preparation.

It is also aimed at ensuring that the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugee returnees live safely within the camps and urgent protection needs are met; and as a means for prevention and response to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

Worsening widespread displacement, violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, protection risks and deepening humanitarian crisis continue to characterize the conflict in Northeast Nigeria. The challenges of protecting the displaced are compounded by on-going insecurity as well as socio-economic fragility, with communities in the Sahel region facing chronic poverty, a harsh climate, recurrent epidemic, poor infrastructure and limited access to basic services.

According to UNHCR, almost 7 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in the three most affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobem, and at the same time, vulnerable populations are in critical need of humanitarian interventions, including food, water, sanitation, protection, education, shelter and health services in newly accessible areas.

Reacting to the humanitarian challenges faced by the victims of the crisis in the north east and their host communities, the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sadanobu Kusaoke, stated that “their living condition is unacceptable to Japan and should also be unacceptable to all governments and people of good conscience, hence the need for global joint effort to restore lives and hope for the people of north east in Nigeria”.