The Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, H.E. Jonathan Richardson, visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in New Kuchingoro on 20 November, 2015 to attend the launch of some of the projects funded through the High Commission’s Direct Aid Programme (DAP).

The Australian Government acknowledges the difficult conditions faced by persons forced to leave their homes as a result of the on-going instability in the North-East and has in the past year alone provided over ₦19.5 million to a number of projects across the country to assist those in need.

One such project called the “Humanitarian Aid for Boko Haram Internally Displaced People in New Kuchingoro” was organised in partnership with the Society for Africa Education, Economic and Social Cultural Development and the Bridge Initiative for African Development (BIFAD). This project brought to the camp 4 new toilets, solar powered lighting and signage, an upgrade of existing borehole machinery to solar power and the construction of semi-permanent classroom structures for 240 children, as well as supplying them with the exercise books, uniforms, desks and chairs needed for the pupils to learn effectively.

The High Commission also supported Global Rights’ pilot project “Promoting Safer Maternal and Neonatal Care for Internally Displaced Persons in North East Nigeria”. This project provides delivery and postnatal survival kits to pregnant and newly delivered IDP women, resulting in safer births across a number of IDP camps. This is increasingly important given that over 60,000 births took place in IDP camps last year alone.

In addition DAP funding also contributed last year to the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria’s IDP assistance emergency appeal. Money from our contribution went towards meeting the water and sanitation needs of IDPs through the construction of boreholes, water points, toilets and bathing facilities, as well as the provision of water & hygiene kits to 60 households. Other funds went towards the provision of agricultural livelihood and food security training, equipment and seed vouchers for a further 40 households.

During his visit the High Commissioner said that “the Australian Government and people stand with Nigeria and the many organisations doing good work to assist IDPs during this difficult time of upheaval across the country.”

“We must all work together to proffer lasting solutions for IDPs and address the underlying issues that have forced them to flee their homes in the first place,” he added.

The Australian Government has also been working with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Centre for Qur’anic Studies at Bayero University on two projects worth ₦20.5 million to address the underlying causes of radicalisation and extremism at the root of the crisis.

Funding under the DAP program last year totalled over ₦110 million. It assisted people in a range of sectors including education, agriculture, health, good governance and water and sanitation, with a particular focus on helping the most vulnerable members of society, including women, children and persons living with disability.