The World Bank has approved a $300 million funding package to support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and their host communities in northern Nigeria through a new initiative designed to enhance access to services and economic opportunities.
Announced on Monday, the Washington-based institution revealed that the Solutions for the Internally Displaced and Host Communities Project (SOLID) received approval on August 7.
The project aims to implement a comprehensive development approach that assists displaced populations and their hosts in moving beyond humanitarian aid toward self-sufficiency and resilience.
The World Bank highlighted that ongoing conflicts and insecurity in northern Nigeria have displaced over 3.5 million people, placing significant pressure on local infrastructure and intensifying competition for limited resources.
Building upon previous efforts such as the multi-sectoral crisis recovery project (MCRP), which focused on emergency recovery, SOLID will concentrate on several key areas: developing climate-resilient infrastructure, fostering social cohesion, supporting livelihoods, and strengthening institutions to better manage the challenges of forced displacement.
Mathew Verghis, the World Bank’s Nigeria country director, expressed optimism about the project, stating, “We are pleased to back this initiative, which holds great promise for helping Nigeria tackle development challenges related to long-term displacement in a sustainable manner.”
He added, “The project’s integrated design, aligned with the National IDP Policy and the federal government’s long-term vision, will enable IDPs and host communities to transition from dependency on humanitarian aid to economic self-reliance and resilience, unlocking better opportunities.”
The SOLID project is expected to benefit approximately 7.4 million people, including up to 1.3 million internally displaced individuals.
Implementation will follow a community-driven, coordinated strategy involving all levels of government and strong collaboration with international partners.
0 Comments