IOM launches €5.1m conflict prevention, resilience project in Katsina, Zamfara

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Monday inaugurated a €5.1 million fund to enhance conflict prevention and crisis response programmes in Zamfara and Katsina states.

The 18-month “conflict prevention, crisis response and resilience (CPCRR)” project is supported by the European Union (EU) and would be implemented by the IOM, in collaboration with Mercy Corps and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Dimanche Sharon, IOM Nigeria chief of mission, said the programme focuses on turning resilience into lasting peace and stability.

Sharon said the programme would target 95,000 displaced persons, returnees and host communities across eight LGAs in Katsina and two in Zamfara.

“It means creating local peace committees so disputes can be solved around the table, not through violence,” Sharon said.

“It also means restoring livelihoods through skills training, farming support and small businesses, so young people and women can build their futures free from fear.

Speaking during the inauguration of the project held in Katsina, Dikko Radda, the state governor, acknowledged that several schools have been shut while farmlands have been abandoned due to the conflicts, especially in the frontline LGAs.

Radda said the EU’s investment in Katsina signals “confidence in our leadership and our people’s capacity to overcome adversity”.

“This project is not a top-down intervention. It is community owned, locally led and culturally sensitive. From the onset, we’ve ensured that community voices are central to planning and implementation,” Radda said.

“I can assure you that due to this locally made community peace initiative, we are able to resolve crises in four of our frontline local governments out of the eight that we already have, and negotiation is going on in two additional frontline local governments,” the governor added.

He noted that previous EU-supported conflict mitigation programmes had restored peace in several communities and facilitated the return of displaced families.

“Today, we’re scaling up what worked. We’re building on the successes of the conflict mitigation and community reconciliation project also supported by the EU,” he said.

“That initiative helped restore peace in several communities, facilitated the return of several displaced persons and strengthened intercommunal strength.”

He called on all the stakeholders, including security agencies and traditional and religious leaders, to join efforts in ridding the state of insecurity.

“Security alone cannot bring lasting peace. We must combine force with development, dialogue and trust. Work hand in hand with communities, listen to their concerns and protect their rights,” he added.

“This project is not a magic wand. Our vision is a Katsina where peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, opportunities and inclusion.”