Boko Haram: UNICEF to provide psychosocial support for 50,000 children
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that it would provide psychosocial support for 50,000 children affected by the armed conflict by February ending in Borno State. It comes as the Fund on Thursday handed over 48 newly reconstructed classrooms, furniture and 24 toilets to Borno government. The Fund’s chief field officer Phuong Nguyen […]
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that it would provide psychosocial support for 50,000 children affected by the armed conflict by February ending in Borno State.
It comes as the Fund on Thursday handed over 48 newly reconstructed classrooms, furniture and 24 toilets to Borno government.
The Fund’s chief field officer Phuong Nguyen noted that the new classrooms and toilet facilities would directly benefit 6,000 children and 58 teachers, reduce overpopulation and protect learners from the COVID-19 pandemic.
She noted that the project was part of a three-year European Union-funded intervention that would provide 50,000 children in the state with access to learning in a safe environment.
“We want to have the generation of children who has skills, who can grow up and develop for their nations. Already now we have provided psychosocial support to teachers, so we are training teachers to support them with this,” Nguyen said.
“So far, we have over 58 teachers are being trained beyond that as I mentioned by the end of February, we will have more teachers trained that the impact will be 50,000 girls and boys we will be supporting with psychosocial support. So far nearly 40,000 children are being supported now.
“Our partnership with the Borno State Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement and the State Universal Basic Education Board has today resulted in the reconstruction of 48 classrooms and 24 latrines in 24 schools in Borno State. With continuous support from the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, the initial target of 56 classrooms and 36 latrines in 30 schools will be met at the end of this month.
“I am excited for the 6,000 children and 58 teachers who will benefit from this intervention in these schools,” Nguyen declared.
Earlier, Borno deputy governor Umar Kadafur urged humanitarian partners to support the state government by investing more in psychosocial support for children and teachers, that would lead to a better learning outcome for the children.
“We have a well-known history of conflict and its impact on the education sector. Development partners came in at the right time and they have been supporting us. We are imploring them to do more with psychosocial support for children and our teachers,” he said.