The Plan International, a development partner in Nigeria, says no fewer than 37,000 children will benefit from an integrated education and child protection project in Borno.
Malam Yunus Abdul-Hamid, the Communications Advisor of the organisation, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that promotes children’s rights and equality for girls, with its headquarters in Canada.
Abdul-Hamid said that the two-year project would be implemented at Gwoza and Dikwa Local Government Areas of the state.
He said that the project would be executed in collaboration with the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO).
According to him, schools are often among the first targets by armed opposition groups when they invade communities, thereby constituting a setback for the children’s education.
He disclosed that the 2017 report by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Nigeria, indicated that an estimated three million children were affected by the conflict and in need of immediate educational support.
He added that the project would respond to the urgent education and protection needs of children and adolescent boys and girls affected by the conflict in North East Nigeria.
“Plan International Nigeria is implementing the 24-month project with an overall objective of having girls and boys to have increased access to quality formal and non-formal learning opportunities and live in a protective environment in Borno State.
“Education is one of our core areas of intervention in the North East of Nigeria.
“We are also supporting affected children with essential services such as learning materials, classrooms, desks, safe playgrounds for children, and child protection services,” he said.
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