UNDP, AAA engage 142,230 Youths in Borno livelihoods, waste management
By Tada JUTHA, Maiduguri
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Action against Hunger (AAH) have engaged 142,230 youths in livelihoods and food security in Borno.
The youths were drawn from Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Bama, Biu Local Government Areas and nine others; affected in the 13-year conflict.
The European Union (EU) funded projects, implemented by UNDP and AAH, are to build the resilience of the conflict-affected people and public sector institutions.
Unfolding the completed projects, the 2019/2021 reports of UN agency and AAA reports disclosed that; “Many jobs are created with improved nutrition among women and their children.”
It said that agriculture-based livelihoods for food and security; were executed in an environment-friendly way.
“The cash for work on waste management in MMC, Bama and Biu councils, was to dispose of 400,000 tons of waste in Bama,” adding that the wastes were accumulated after the insurgents torched and flattened it in 2015.
The report said that the weak system of waste management prompted the UN agency to execute Cash for Work on Waste Management (CWWM).
Continued: “There is a direct correlation between inadequate sanitary standards and the rates of sickness and spread of diseases,” said the report, warning that there is a direct negative impact on the out of pocket expenditures of the vulnerable poor.
The reports, therefore, reiterated that the increased accumulation of debris and other solid wastes could fuel poverty and unemployment in the state.
According to the agency, over a decade of conflict has affected access to farmlands and markets, including basic needs of life.
It noted that the destruction of people’s livelihoods has also led to high rates of unemployment with low economic activities.
On security challenges, the report said: “The efforts in waste management is however hindered by the security challenges in the state,” assuring that the EU waste management intervention is to contribute to long-term resilience building and social stabilization.
