Borno, Adamawa to Benefit 1.4 Million from New Social Safety Net Initiative
Borno, Adamawa to Benefit 1.4 Million from New Social Safety Net Initiative
In collaboration with the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and GIZ, Action Against Hunger has introduced a social welfare initiative aimed at assisting roughly 1.4 million at-risk individuals within Adamawa and Borno states.
The official launch of the scheme took place in Abuja this Tuesday, attended by various government officials, humanitarian organizations, and development partners.
During the ceremony, Thierno Diallo, the Country Director for Action Against Hunger in Nigeria—represented by Deputy Director Andwalem Fekadu—stated that the program is designed to bolster the endurance of local populations hit hard by years of instability and violence in the Northeast.
He noted that the plan involves delivering financial aid to struggling families while partnering with local authorities to upgrade current social welfare frameworks to meet national development objectives.
“As indicated earlier, the project is expected to benefit approximately 1.4 million people across both states. The primary focus of the project is on community members who have been affected by the protracted conflict and whose livelihoods have been severely disrupted by the ongoing security crisis. Therefore, the project will primarily target these members of the community,” Fekadu said.
The Deputy Director further clarified that the project aims to support the government’s work by strengthening the institutions in charge of welfare and making sure aid gets to those who need it most.
Fekadu revealed that approximately €1 million is dedicated to growing the program’s cash transfer branch, highlighting that strict measures for transparency and oversight have been established.
He mentioned that ACF, along with other partners, will collaborate with state-level oversight departments and internal monitors to oversee the rollout and confirm that aid reaches the correct recipients.
“We will be working very closely with the state governments from the beginning of implementation to the end of the project to make sure we are aligned and on the same page,” he said.
The representative also noted that while the project is currently set for a one-year duration, there is potential for it to be extended if more funding becomes available.
While Fekadu admitted that other states in the North-Central, Northwest, and Northeast are also facing security and humanitarian crises, he explained that limited budgets have prevented a broader rollout.
Nonetheless, he shared his hope that ongoing talks with international donors would create paths to bring similar welfare initiatives to other states in crisis.
Regarding the financial impact, Fekadu estimated that participants might receive an average of ₦150,000 to ₦200,000, though this depends on the specific part of the program they are involved in.
“Regarding the specific question about the amount of resources that will go specifically to individuals, well, you know, the project has different components. So it has different stakes. So the amount of allocation is not uniform at all stages.
“Well, on average, I would say individuals will benefit around ₦150,000 to ₦200,000, ” he said.
He pointed out that Action Against Hunger has a long history of aiding Nigerian social systems, mentioning a decade of work in Kano and Jigawa, alongside earlier projects in Yobe and Borno.
This new effort, he added, is a step forward in the collective mission to reinforce social welfare structures and better the lives of those living in the conflict-ridden areas of Nigeria’s Northeast.
For years, residents of Adamawa and Borno have endured instability that has left millions in precarious situations, often unable to provide for their most fundamental needs.
This latest social support project, managed by Action Against Hunger and its international partners, seeks to provide a lifeline for approximately 1.4 million residents in these regions.
The program merges direct financial help with systemic improvements to state welfare programs, assisting these communities in rebuilding their lives and securing their futures.
In collaboration with the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and GIZ, Action Against Hunger has introduced a social welfare initiative aimed at assisting roughly 1.4 million at-risk individuals within Adamawa and Borno states.
The official launch of the scheme took place in Abuja this Tuesday, attended by various government officials, humanitarian organizations, and development partners.
During the ceremony, Thierno Diallo, the Country Director for Action Against Hunger in Nigeria—represented by Deputy Director Andwalem Fekadu—stated that the program is designed to bolster the endurance of local populations hit hard by years of instability and violence in the Northeast.
He noted that the plan involves delivering financial aid to struggling families while partnering with local authorities to upgrade current social welfare frameworks to meet national development objectives.
“As indicated earlier, the project is expected to benefit approximately 1.4 million people across both states. The primary focus of the project is on community members who have been affected by the protracted conflict and whose livelihoods have been severely disrupted by the ongoing security crisis. Therefore, the project will primarily target these members of the community,” Fekadu said.
The Deputy Director further clarified that the project aims to support the government’s work by strengthening the institutions in charge of welfare and making sure aid gets to those who need it most.
Fekadu revealed that approximately €1 million is dedicated to growing the program’s cash transfer branch, highlighting that strict measures for transparency and oversight have been established.
He mentioned that ACF, along with other partners, will collaborate with state-level oversight departments and internal monitors to oversee the rollout and confirm that aid reaches the correct recipients.
“We will be working very closely with the state governments from the beginning of implementation to the end of the project to make sure we are aligned and on the same page,” he said.
The representative also noted that while the project is currently set for a one-year duration, there is potential for it to be extended if more funding becomes available.
While Fekadu admitted that other states in the North-Central, Northwest, and Northeast are also facing security and humanitarian crises, he explained that limited budgets have prevented a broader rollout.
Nonetheless, he shared his hope that ongoing talks with international donors would create paths to bring similar welfare initiatives to other states in crisis.
Regarding the financial impact, Fekadu estimated that participants might receive an average of ₦150,000 to ₦200,000, though this depends on the specific part of the program they are involved in.
“Regarding the specific question about the amount of resources that will go specifically to individuals, well, you know, the project has different components. So it has different stakes. So the amount of allocation is not uniform at all stages.
“Well, on average, I would say individuals will benefit around ₦150,000 to ₦200,000, ” he said.
He pointed out that Action Against Hunger has a long history of aiding Nigerian social systems, mentioning a decade of work in Kano and Jigawa, alongside earlier projects in Yobe and Borno.
This new effort, he added, is a step forward in the collective mission to reinforce social welfare structures and better the lives of those living in the conflict-ridden areas of Nigeria’s Northeast.
For years, residents of Adamawa and Borno have endured instability that has left millions in precarious situations, often unable to provide for their most fundamental needs.
This latest social support project, managed by Action Against Hunger and its international partners, seeks to provide a lifeline for approximately 1.4 million residents in these regions.
The program merges direct financial help with systemic improvements to state welfare programs, assisting these communities in rebuilding their lives and securing their futures.
