Lagos - A new 45-day intensive project to promote peace during and
after Nigeria’s general election on Saturday has been launched by
Christian Aid in Benue and Kaduna States.
With growing concerns over violence and insecurity in the aftermath of
the elections, the project will facilitate dialogues with individuals
and groups to ensure that violence does not occur in these states
identified as being volatile.
“This intervention, although with a restricted timeframe, will target
root causes of violence and conflict in the most volatile areas, and
will engage these communities at the most critical time to ensure
peaceful coexistence and sustainability beyond the project period,”
speaking from Abuja, the Country Manager for Christian Aid Nigeria
Charles Usie, said.
Financed by the START Network through its ‘START Fund’ - a rapid
mechanism for responding to underfunded emergencies - this
intervention will reach a projected 255,000 individuals from 36,000
households in the most volatile communities within the identified
states.
Usie added: “We do not want a repeat of history with electoral
violence; that is why Christian Aid is taking this step now at this
crucial time.
“It is on this basis that we are launching this project to ensure that
communities are adequately informed on how to address grievances, and
that opportunities for peaceful dialogue are brought to the table.”
In the event of any violence, Christian Aid will have a stockpile of
relief materials that will be provided to the most vulnerable and in
need people, supporting the efforts of the National Emergency
Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency
(SEMA) in the states.
Source: Christian Aid/Additional Editing by AllnetAfrica
