The U.S. Government says it has provided $44 million (about N8.7 billion) in humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons in the North-East of the country.
In a statement Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja said the U.S. Agency for International Development had also awarded a $10.5 million (about N2billion) to Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.
The U.S government stated that the grant was in continuation of U.S. humanitarian assistance to the IDPs in the three states.
According to the statement, the grant will support activities of UN Population Fund, UNICEF, and World Health Organisation to improve access to health care services to the affected states.
“With this new funding, total U.S. humanitarian assistance since the start of the crisis is nearly $44 million,” the statement stated.
It quoted the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, as saying that the U.S. looked forward to partnering with Nigeria to accelerate the socio-economic development of the country.
“As we look forward to Nigeria’s success, the U.S. remains committed to extending our partnership to support the Nigerian people’s vision to accelerate this country’s economic and social development.”
It stated that the USAID Mission Director, Michael Harvey, signed the grants with the three UN agencies in the presence of Mr. Entwisle and the governors of the three states.
“The funding will supply nutritional supplements for malnourished children and health care services to those living in camps and with host communities,” it stated.
The statement added that the grant would be used to provide clean water and sanitation, hygiene supplies and protection services to affected populations.
It stated that USAID was supporting several humanitarian, transitional and longer-term development activities in North-East in collaboration with the federal, state and local government levels.
“Current and forthcoming activities will improve governmental capacity and performance; strengthen food security and water policy.
“It will also expand the reach and effectiveness of health and education initiatives, and provide services for internally displaced persons in North-East Nigeria.
“USAID efforts in the North-East are focused in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States,” it stated.
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