German Gov’t to fund project worth FCFA 3.9B to help IDPs in Lake Chad area

The German Government has said it is funding a project worth FCFA 3.9 billion, (6 million EUR) to help countries in the Lake Chad basin counter the effects of Boko Haram terrorism.

Cameroon, Nigeria, and Chad will benefit from the project dubbed: “Emergency Response and Assistance to Displaced Populations” to be carried out under the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The project, which focused on displaced persons, will aim at the distribution of Non-Food Items and Shelter kits, collection of data about the movements of internally displaced people as well as provide mental health and psychosocial support to displaced persons and host communities, the German Government’s release states.

Targeting mostly women and children who are most vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks, German Ambassador to Cameroon, Dr. Corinna Fricke, says the project will reduce the suffering of the most vulnerable population.

“Attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP forced almost 500.000 people in Northern Cameroon, the majority of whom are children, to leave their houses and their assets and belongings behind. The new IOM project will contribute to reducing the suffering of this particularly vulnerable population,” she said.

The German Government has been functioning with humanitarian organizations such as UNHCR, ICRC, WFP, Plan International, and Caritas to reduce poverty among IDPs in the Lake Chad area.
“In 2020 Germany provided in total 53,6 million EUR (35 billion FCFA) for humanitarian activities in the Lake Chad region. These funds are being implemented by the UNHCR, ICRC, WFP, Plan International and Caritas and can be flexible used depending on the needs on the ground,” states the German Government’s release.

The country also provided an additional 6,7 million EUR (4,4 billion FCFA) for specific activities implemented only in Cameroon.

Mimi Mefo Info