The Government of Japan has promised to donate $1.45 million to support a humanitarian response project for women and children displaced by Boko Haram sect in Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Senior Assistant/Advisor on General Affairs, Information and Culture of the Japanese Embassy in Abuja, Mr John Nwankwo.
He stated that the project, tagged “Emergency Assistance to Internally Displaced Women/Girls and Survivors of Boko Haram Terrorism Attacks in Nigeria” is in partnership with the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).
According to him, the project is a one-year initiative spanning 2016-2017, targeting selected areas in Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states.
He said that the aim of the project is to strengthen emergency assistance initiatives to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), especially women and girls and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the target areas.
It was also aimed at improving the economic capacity and social rehabilitation of women affected by crisis for peaceful cohabitation in target areas.
“The project is further targeted at strengthening humanitarian coordination mechanisms for a more comprehensive and gender-responsive approach in Nigeria,” Nwankwo said.
Nwankwo said the project would be implemented by UN Women in partnership with relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), civil society organisations and other development agencies..
He added that the humanitarian response project would complement an ongoing Women Peace and Security Programme in Northern Nigeria, being implemented by UN Women and other partners.
It would also enhance collaborative interventions between the governments of Japan and Nigeria.