By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA—The French Embassy in Nigeria and the International Organization of Migrants, IOM, Nigeria, have signed an agreement for a nine-month project aimed at providing psychosocial support to conflict-affected people in the North East of the country.

IOM spokesman, Ikechukwu Attah, disclosed this yesterday, saying the project would target Adamawa and Borno, the two states most affected by displacement.

“The project is designed to strengthen existing IOM psychosocial response and assistance to people affected by the humanitarian crisis that has developed in Nigeria due to the Boko Haram insurgency, especially the North East.

“It also is aimed at preventing sexual and gender-based violence through the development of practices that promote gender equality, respect and tolerance of gender diversity in displacement camps and host communities,” he said.

IOM Nigeria Chief of Mission, Enira Krdzalic, thanked France for its contribution, but highlighted the huge humanitarian challenge in the North East. Appealing for more resources, she noted that in addition to psychosocial assistance, IOM also needs to provide shelter and non-food relief items.

The statement explained that the psychosocial support project will target at least 25 State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA/ National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, camp managers, and 10,200 Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, living in camps and host communities (6,000 women, 3,000 children, 1,000 men).