Nigeria Gets N16Bn From Germany To Resettle IDPs

The government of Germany said the fund is aimed at tackling the root causes of displacement of refugees and their quick resettlement.

Nigeria has received a commitment of €47.6 million (N16.23 billion at the official exchange rate of N341.14 to one euro) from Germany to support the resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.

The Leader of a German delegation, Mrs Renate von Boddien, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, October 7, during a meeting of the Nigeria-Germany Consultations on Development Cooperation.

At the meeting, which was hosted by the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Boddien stated that the commitment is part of bilateral technical cooperation and special project initiative aimed at tackling the root causes of displacement of refugees and speed up their integration under the ‘One World No Hunger Green Innovation’.

She said this will also strengthen Germany’s support for the Green Innovation Centre for Agriculture and Food Sector.

Breaking down the funds, Boddien explained that €22.6m is earmarked for bilateral technical cooperation and special funding lines; €19.9m for special initiatives to tackle the root causes of displacement/reintegrating of refugees; and €6m for special initiatives for the ‘One World No Hunger’ project initiated to strengthen its support for the Green Innovation Centre.

According to her, Germany is committed to engaging the priority areas of sustainable economic growth, Nigerian energy support programme and technical cooperation.

“Technical cooperation is being implemented through the pro-poor growth and employment promotion programme in Nigeria, which was inaugurated by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and is co-financed by the European Union.

“The objective is to increase employment and income generation for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the three states of Niger, Ogun and Plateau,” a statement from the Ministry of Budget quoted her as saying.

Speaking further, she said that other areas the government of Germany is planning to commit funds include humanitarian support in the North-East, the fight against polio disease and to support technical and vocational education.