The European Union will, on Thursday, commission seven new projects aimed at assisting internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups in the North-East to start a new life.
It stated that over 370,000 IDPs in Borno, Adamawa, Gombe and Yobe states would benefit from the projects, which would be inaugurated in Maiduguri by the Borno State government.
The union in a statement by its spokesman, Modestus Chukwulaka, on Wednesday in Abuja, explained that the projects would expand and deepen the already extensive EU humanitarian and development assistance to the many victims of violence and displacement in the North-East.
“Over 370,000 people will directly benefit from the seven projects for which the EU has earmarked €50m, to be mainly funded through its Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.
“Proven international implementing partners will execute the projects over a period ranging from two to four years,” it noted.
The EU stated that the International Rescue Committee, the Danish Refugee Council, in collaboration with the Danish Demining Group and the Norwegian Refugee Council would contribute to ‘Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development in the North-East’ by promoting stability, safety and resilience of communities affected by conflict and displacement.
The programmes would also “help improve access to basic services for vulnerable people, boost socio-economic recovery and ensure sustainable livelihoods for displaced persons, host communities and returnees, focusing in particular on the needs of young people, and improve community safety and conflict mediation.”