Abuja, 2 April 2020 — The Government of Japan has announced the release of 2.5 million dollars for early recovery and peacebuilding activities in Northeast Nigeria. Implemented through the technical and managerial support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the initiative supports the recovery of livelihoods of target communities; restoration of basic services; the support the emergency of effective and accountable local governance; re-build social cohesion and re-establish community security in the states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe. The additional budget allocation follows a 1.5 million dollars funding support by the Government of Japan received in 2019.

The Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria H.E. Mr. Kikuta Yutaka stated: “The Government of Japan will continue to support the people of the Northeast. The Government of Japan hopes that these projects will help to stabilize the affected communities, accelerate early recovery and restore the means of livelihoods in Northeast region.”

Through the increased funding, the Japanese Government will help boost economic opportunities thanks to vocational skills programmes for 800 youth as well as village saving and loans schemes; support 9 infrastructure construction and rehabilitation projects in the region;  strengthen local governance and social cohesion through sexual and gender-based violence prevention campaigns and early recovery training for community leaders.

“UNDP welcomes the continued support by the Government of Japan. The substantial increase in its budgetary allocation for UNDP Nigeria is a renewed testament to Japan’s  enduring commitment to the sustainable development and recovery of Northeast Nigeria.” said Mohamed Yahya UNDP Resident Representative to Nigeria.

Between 2016 and 2020,  it is estimated that the Government of Japan has allocated over 10.5 million dollars, for the recovery and peacebuilding of conflict-affected communities in Northeast Nigeria. All interventions carried out in the Northeast are as part of the Integrated Community Recovery Programme which UNDP in Nigeria has been implementing since 2016 in partnership with the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (MRRR) in Borno state, and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Adamawa and Yobe.

     
For further inquiries, please contact:
UNDP: Amalachukwu Ibeneme, amalachukwu.ibeneme@undp.org, +234 814 0100 605
Embassy of Japan in Nigeria: Hiroki Shirai, hiroki.shirai@mofa.go.jp, +234 803 408 0775
                                                                                        
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