The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced the launch of an unconditional cash transfer project in Kano State, northwest Nigeria.
The project, according to the UN agency, is funded by the European Union and the government of Japan.
Development Dairies understands that the project, with a total sum of N 2.95 billion (equivalent to US $7,700,000), will be implemented under the Nigeria One UN Covid-19 response.
It seeks to alleviate the socio-economic impact of the pandemic on the poor and vulnerable and strengthen the resilience of communities in local government areas (LGAs) in Kano deeply impacted by the crisis.
In urban poor communities in Kano metropolis, particularly Kano Municipal comprising Fagge, Dala, Gwale, Tarauni, and Nasarawa LGAs, 9,600 individuals will benefit from the cash for work programme while an additional 2,500 small to medium-sized (SMEs) will receive cash grants for their businesses and startups to support business continuity.
The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, highlighted the state’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders.
‘We increasingly understand that the Covid-19 pandemic is more than just a health crisis, which will make achieving the SDGs more challenging than ever before’, he said.
‘Against this backdrop, the government of Kano is collaborating with all partners, including the UNDP, to focus on key areas – good health systems and the fight against hunger – to ensure our people achieve well-being and economic prosperity’.
As for the UNDP Resident Representative, Mohamed Yahya, he said, ‘The Covid-19 pandemic has created a multi-sector human development crisis
‘For the first time since its introduction in 1990, the Human Development Index is projected to decline globally.
‘However, it is in this historic context that we must work together to recommit our support towards achieving an inclusive, prosperous and equitable nation for all people’.
On his part, EU head of Delegation to Nigeria, Ketil Karlsen, said, ‘The Covid-19 pandemic presents a risk, but also an opportunity to make an impactful change and has shown us that investing in human capital is now more important than investing in physical infrastructure.
‘We must continue to work together, as history will reflect how we supported the most vulnerable at the height of this crisis’.
Source: UNDP
Photo source: UNDP
