CONTEXT
The affected population in North East Nigeria have been living in a protracted crisis for over a decade, resulting in widespread forced displacement and continued violations of human rights.
Since Street Child started working in the region in 2016, the needs remain the same. First and foremost, we continue to deal with a protection crisis, with major barriers to security and serious attacks killing numerous civilians. It is our ambition to provide all children living in North East Nigeria with a safe environment within their homes and communities where they can be safe, in school and learning.
WHAT WE ARE DOING
We’re currently working in Borno and Adamawa States, NE Nigeria.
EDUCATION IN EMERGENCIES
Current partnerships with four local organizations aim to provide support for over 180,000 children through the provision of quality education in safe learning environments, as well as the chance to build lifesaving and life-sustaining skills.
In Adamawa state, we are targeting girls’ education specifically, supporting them to transition sustainably between elementary and high school. Literacy rates for girls stand at 50% in Adamawa and the ongoing conflict has increased and exacerbated violence and abuses directed towards them.
CHILD PROTECTION
Alongside this we’re delivering psychosocial support activities including play, sport and therapy, helping them to deal with stress and trauma of their experiences in positive ways as well as providing a sense of normalcy and routine to strengthen their ability to cope.
Our COVID-19 response has seen the distribution of key prevention messaging and provision of hygiene supplies reaching over 225,000 people. This includes supporting street-connected Almajiri children, who represent some of the most stigmatized and marginalized children in Nigeria (read this blog by partner Mohammed Sabo Keana, CEO of Almajiri Child Rights Initiative).
EMPOWERING FAMILIES
Our holistic approach also targets each child’s wellbeing outside school: we provide positive parenting classes to parents and caregivers, as well as livelihoods support to improve and stabilize household income, strengthen families’ resilience to crisis, and improve children’s ability to stay in school.