The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Japanese and Adamawa state governments have launched the distribution of agricultural inputs and solar lanterns to Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Households in Song council of Adamawa state. The Loko distributions centre; was one of the communities severally attacked by Boko Haram insurgents between 2014 and 2016. UNDP Deputy Country Director for Operations, Betty Wabunoha disclosed this on Thursday in a statement released in Maiduguri. The agricultural inputs distribution interventions; were to support victims of the Boko Haram insurgency affected states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in the Northeast. Insurgency in the region has claimed over 20,000 lives and caused $9 billion (N3.24 trillion) of damage to property and other key infrastructure, with displacement of over 2 million people from the Northeast, including Niger, Chad and Cameroon. “This return of peace to previously captured communities and declaration by respective States of their safety has facilitated voluntary steady return of populations to their places of origin,” he said. He however, noted that most of them still in need of basic infrastructure and sources of livelihoods for the families to survive. UN development agency is implementing various interventions in the North-East through close collaboration with state authorities and funding support from partners, including the Japanese government. This year, Japan has donated $ 2.5million (N900 million) which will facilitate implementation of initiatives to support 2,200 farmers and 500 small business. The investment, according to him, will facilitate the rehabilitation of five community infrastructures and an estimated 850 locals will be provided with emergency employment opportunities. According to him, the agricultural inputs distribution exercise is targeted at 9,000 households across the North-East region. He said each household will receive seeds, sprayers, fertilizer and farming tools for use during this year’s farming season. He noted that priority will be given to female-headed households, who were most affected by insurgency. While distributing the farm inputs and seeds, solar lanterns were also donated by Panasonic, a Japanese company for distribution to households in Loko community, Adamawa state. Wabunoha also reaffirmed UN agency’s commitment to support the rebuilding efforts and livelihoods support projects. She said that it will stimulate and fast track early recovery and lay a “solid foundation for development” to take place again in the region. “I’m extending UNDP’s appreciation to the Government of Japan and Panasonic Corporation for the partnership and support in helping conflict affected communities in Nigeria,” she said. He Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yutaka Kikuta, disclosed that the North-East was an economically promising region. “It is the hope of the Government of Japan to see that interventions in the region help stabilize the insurgency affected communities. The combined efforts of Japan’s public and private initiatives will bring light and a brighter future to your lives in this region,” said Kikuta. He re-assured that the Japanese government will continue to support the country’s efforts in restoring “stability and livelihoods” for communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency in the region. Haruna Hamman Furo, The Permanent Secretary of Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Haruna Hamman, appreciated the efforts of the UNDP, the Government of Japan and Panasonic Corporation for their coordinated joint support.
