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Improved access to quality reintegration services for children and adolescent formerly associated with non-state armed groups in Northeast Nigeria

Project completed

Thousands of children and youth suffer from the conflict in Northeast Nigeria, including from various forms of violence and forced recruitment by non-state armed groups. The project provides psychosocial support, education, and socio-economic reintegration assistance to children and youth formerly associated with armed groups, and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Their successful reintegration is a key prerequisite towards sustainable peace.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Nigeria
Humanitarian Assistance & DRR
Conflict & fragility
Gender
nothemedefined
Protection, access & security
Child soldiers (CAAFG)
Sexual & gender-based violence
01.10.2022 - 30.09.2024
 CHF  1’200’000
The project in brief
Background The large humanitarian needs in Northeast Nigeria remain driven by conflict and violence. Now in its thirteenth year, the armed conflict persists with ongoing hostilities between non-state armed groups (NSAGs) and security forces. Civilians bear the brunt of the conflict with widespread displacement (2.2M as of August 2022), insufficient protection, destroyed infrastructure, and collapsed essential services. Child protection needs are acute, as many children continue to suffer trauma as a result of exposure to recruitment by armed groups, sexual violence, the loss of relatives, and displacement. As a result of power struggles between NSAGs, up to 50,000 people have exited areas under NSAG control since June 2021. Among them are many children, youth and women who need psychosocial counselling and socio-economic reintegration support to recover from trauma and strain of the conflict, and to reintegrate into their communities, which this initiative targets.
Objectives The project aims to improve the protective environment for children and youth formerly associated with non-state armed groups and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV) in the conflict-affected states in Northeast Nigeria, and assists with their socio-economic reintegration in communities.
Target groups
  • Children, youth and women formerly associated with non-state armed groups
  • Separated and unaccompanied children
  • Other vulnerable children in communities of reintegration
  • GBV survivors
  • Community leaders in conflict affected communities at risk of child recruitment and GBV
  • Front line workers (government social welfare and child caseworkers)
Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: Increased number of girls, boys, youth, and women disassociated from armed groups, including other conflict affected children, have sustainable equitable access and utilization of social and economic reintegration services.

Outcome 2: Improved protection and respect for the fundamental rights of people affected by crises, giving priority to vulnerable groups, including children and women exposed to the risks of violence, abuse, sexual exploitation, and family separation.
Results

Expected results:  

  • 1,500 children formerly associated with NSAGs and other vulnerable children (750 boys, 750 girls) enrolled in vocational skills development
  • 1,500 children formerly associated with NSAGs and other vulnerable children (750 boys, 750 girls) enrolled in school
  • 200 GBV survivors access at least one GBV service through safe space programming at return communities
  • 100 community monitors trained on monitoring and reporting grave violations against children in armed conflict


Results from previous phases:  

  • 660 children and women (28 per cent girls, 61 per cent boys and 11 per cent women) released from administrative custody to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and UNICEF
  • 2,396 children received community-based reintegration support in 2020 and 2021
  • 921 children (451 girls, 470 boys) enrolled into formal education
  • Reports on grave violations against children in armed conflict produced quarterly and annually for the UN Security Council
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Project partners Contract partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • United Nations Children’s Fund


Other partners
International actors and Cluster System: UN Agencies (UNFPA, IOM, and UNHCR); Child Protection Sub Sector; Search for Common Ground; International Alert; Norwegian Church Aid
Coordination with other projects and actors Swiss Embassy’s work on peace and security (PHRD); Borno State Ministries of: Women Affairs, Education, Local Government and Emirates Affairs, Justice, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA); Local partner NGOs: Neem Foundation; Goal Prime Foundation; CHAD International
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    1’200’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    1’200’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   1’181’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   2’381’000
Project phases Phase 3 01.11.2024 - 31.10.2026   (Current phase)

Phase 2 01.10.2022 - 30.09.2024   (Completed)

  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation EMERGENCY RESPONSE
    GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Material relief assistance and services
    Child soldiers (prevention and demobilisation)
    Ending violence against women and girls
    Cross-cutting topics Human rights
    The project also supports partner organisation improvements
    Aid Type Project and programme contribution
    Project number

    7F10623

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Last update 11.01.2024