The European Union (EU), the Swiss Government, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), United Nations agencies and development partners have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Yobe State’s transition from humanitarian assistance to sustainable recovery, resilience and long-term development.
ALSO READ: Yobe State Emerges Best in Nigeria’s PHC Awards
The commitment followed a joint technical mission to Yobe State, where the delegation assessed the implementation of donor-funded interventions aimed at providing durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), strengthening livelihoods, promoting economic recovery and improving water resource management.
This was disclosed in a statement by the EU Commission in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to the statement, the delegation, comprising representatives of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, the Embassy of Switzerland, AFD, GIZ, UN agencies and implementing partners, held high-level engagements with the Yobe State Government, the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (YOSEMA), the Durable Solutions Secretariat and community leaders to review progress and strengthen coordination.
As part of the visit, the team inspected the proposed site of the European Union-funded Support for Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria (SIDPIN) programme in the Maisandari community.
The programme, jointly implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and UN-Habitat, is expected to provide an integrated settlement for displaced persons and host communities, while improving access to education, healthcare and other essential services.
The delegation also visited Swiss Government-funded projects in Maisandari and Sumsumma communities, where beneficiaries showcased livestock production, crop farming and other livelihood activities designed to strengthen household incomes and community resilience.
Speaking after the visit, the Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, said the mission underscored the EU’s long-standing commitment to supporting communities affected by conflict.
“This joint visit reflects the European Union’s continued commitment to supporting people and institutions in Yobe State as they move from crisis response towards recovery, resilience and durable solutions. We commend the Government of Yobe State, local authorities, communities and implementing partners for their collaboration. The progress seen during this visit reinforces the importance of coordinated, locally led approaches that connect livelihoods, basic services, peacebuilding and sustainable resource management.”
The delegation also participated in the launch of the Inclusive Economic and Social Recovery in the Lake Chad Region (RESILAC 2) project in Damaturu, where development partners and government officials discussed strategies to improve economic resilience and community stabilisation.
The Humanitarian Advisor at the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria, Aline Bürki, said supporting displaced persons and host communities remained central to Switzerland’s humanitarian and development agenda.
“Switzerland’s support for durable solutions in Yobe is grounded in the belief that displaced people, returnees and host communities must be supported to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.
The integrated approach, which focuses on livelihood opportunities, water and sanitation services, climate preparedness and peacebuilding, demonstrates what can be accomplished when humanitarian and development actors work closely with government and communities,” she said.
Similarly, AFD’s Programme Manager for Nigeria, ECOWAS and the Lake Chad Region, Mrs Sally Ibrahim, described the launch of RESILAC 2 as a major step towards strengthening partnerships.
“The Yobe kick-off workshop provides a multi-stakeholder platform to align expectations and reinforce joint ownership with state authorities and partners. AFD remains committed to improving economic and climate resilience while strengthening access to quality basic services,” she noted.
The delegation also met with the Hadejia–Jama’are Komadugu Yobe Trust Fund and reviewed interventions under the LACHAWAMA project implemented by GIZ to improve water resource management across the state.
According to the Regional Project Manager of GIZ Nigeria, Boubakar Abdou Boko, sustainable management of water resources is critical to long-term peace and development.
“Sustainable water resource management is essential for resilience, livelihoods, public health and peaceful coexistence. Through LACHAWAMA and our engagement with the Hadejia-Jama’are Komadugu Yobe Trust Fund, GIZ remains committed to strengthening institutions, supporting strategic coordination and helping communities manage water resources in a way that responds to current needs while protecting the future,” he noted.
Representing Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, the Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Dr Goje Muhammed, expressed appreciation to the international partners for their continued support to the state’s recovery efforts.
“Durable solutions are most sustainable when government leads, communities participate and partners align behind nationally and sub-nationally owned priorities. We are grateful for the steadfast support of the European Union, the Swiss Government, AFD, GIZ, the United Nations agencies and all implementing partners. Together, we are moving beyond immediate humanitarian response toward resilience, recovery and lasting development gains for displaced persons, host communities and border populations.”
At the end of the mission, stakeholders agreed to deepen collaboration and sustain investments in durable solutions, livelihoods, basic services, climate resilience and water resource management to improve the lives of conflict-affected communities across Yobe State.
