The Norwegian Ambassador giving brief remarks just before the agreement was jointly signed with the FAO Representative in Nigeria Fred Kafeero in Abuja

At least 45% conflict-affected women beneficiaries to receive agricultural inputs and animals for restoring livelihoods and enhance resilience

Abuja – The Government of the Royal Kingdom of Norway has renewed its funding cooperation with Food and Agriculture Organization of the Nations (FAO) aimed at helping the most vulnerable populations in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and Taraba states in northeast Nigeria with a special focus on women-led households.

The three-year intervention will benefit 43 990 households (about 307 930 individuals) with at least 45 percent of them being women as direct beneficiaries who will receive agricultural inputs, livestock assets, energy saving stoves and corre.

The beneficiaries are  are internally displaced people (IDPs), host communities and returnees of relocated households with special attention paid to women-headed households.

Speaking in Abuja at a signing ceremony to kick start the project’s implementation, the Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of Norway to Nigeria, H.E. Knut Eiliv Lein, said that his country remains committed to supporting the efforts to restore the conflict-affected livelihoods in northeast Nigeria. “This project we are signing here today is part of Norway’s larger support to Nigeria in general including humanitarian efforts specifically targeting those in need in the northeast region. We have partnered with many organizations in addressing a number of issues including health, food security, democracy, gender equality and more,” Ambassador Lein pointed out.

On his part, the FAO Representative in Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Fred Kafeero, appreciated the support by the Government of the Royal Kingdom of Norway describing it as a another milestone in strengthening the commitment in the fight against poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition in Nigeria. “The new project, whose agreement we are signing here today, marks the continuous and fruitful collaboration, and partnership that exists between the Government of the Royal Kingdom of Norway and FAO in Nigeria,” Mr. Kafeero said adding: “Thanks to this collaboration for years now, the conflict-affected populations of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states have greatly benefited from the agricultural-based livelihoods support that has enabled them to improve their food security as well as build their resilience.

The support aims at enhancing resilience to the humanitarian crisis, climate variability and change of vulnerable communities; and building resilient livelihoods in the BAY states against the negative effects of climate change.

The beneficiaries, who will also receive special training on animal husbandry, farming and agribusiness, are IDPs, host communities and returnees of relocated households with special attention paid to women-headed households.

The project comes a few weeks after the release of the October 2022 food and nutrition analysis (Cadre Harmonisé), which indicates that about 17 million people including IDPs and returnees, in 26 states including the Federal Capital Territory were in crisis or worse level through October 2022. Three (3) million of these are living in Borno, Adamwa and Yobe states.

Furthermore, an estimated 25.3 million people are projected to be in crisis or worse levels during the 2023 lean season (June – August) with 4.4 million in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, if immediate steps to scale up and sustain livelihood and food assistance are not taken.   

NOTES TO EDITORS/JOURNALISTS

More about Norway’s support to FAO for conflict-affected populations in northeast Nigeria

Since 2017 the Government of the Royal Kingdom of Norway has issued financial support of more than USD 20 million from the beginning of the crisis, reaching over 1 085 777 conflict-affected people in the northeast region of Nigeria.

Thanks to this collaboration, the conflict-affected populations of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states have greatly benefited from the agricultural-based livelihoods support that has enabled them to improve their food security as well as build their resilience.

Through the partnership, women and girls have been protected against exposure to protection risks including abduction and abuse through the promotion of Safe Access to Fuel and Energy (SAFE); households have been provided with quality crop production inputs; farmer field schools have been established training farmers on good agricultural practices; and Climate Smart Agriculture Investment Plans and Cost Benefit Analyses have been developed/conducted.

Besides, FAO has also supported the establishment of Group Savings and Loans Associations (GSLA) and agri-business centres as part of strengthening community resilience and building inclusive rural finance services for women; contributed to improved ownership of livestock by women leading to improved households’ income and nutrition.

For more information:

Emmanuel Kihaule

Communications Specialist, FAO Nigeria

[email protected]

Mob. +234 802 609 9198

Mr. Eivind Fjeldstad, Embassy Counsellor,

Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway, Abuja

[email protected]  

Mob. +234 906 290 9952