Japan donates N1.6b to IDPs, for anti-terror war in Nigeria

THE government of Japan Tuesday announced a grant aid of $8.29 million (N1.6 billion) to assist Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria’s North-East, as well as for capacity-building in the country’s anti-terrorism efforts and for preparedness against Ebola. The grant is made to United Nations (UN) agencies such as IFRC/NRCS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNODC and WHO.

  Mariko Chiba of the Economic/Development Co-operation Section of the Embassy of Japan, who made the announcement in a statement made available to The Guardian, said that the donation was in furtherance of Japanese President’s commitment to continue to support the international community to combat terrorism. 

  Chiba, who stated that the donation was made in response to requests from the mentioned UN agencies and the Nigerian government, said while the trio of IFRC/NRCS, UNFPA and UNICEF are to take care of the IDPs, UNODC will work at building capacities for counter-terrorism while WHO will work on the preparedness against Ebola.

  She said: “In response to the terrorism incident regarding the hostage case of Japanese nationals in Syria, on February 1, 2015, the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe, said: “Japan will never give in to terrorism” and “Japan will steadfastly fulfill its responsibility in the international community combating terrorism.

  “In Nigeria, the activities of Boko Haram have been characterised by attacks on innocent civilian population. It is currently estimated that more than 15 million Nigerians have been affected in one way or the other by the insecurity. Thousands of people have been killed, and the lives of the whole people in the North-East and its vicinity have been badly affected. The government of Japan is seriously concerned about the tremendous damages caused by terrorist activities, especially about the fact that their negative impact has started to expand into the neighbouring countries. Therefore, on February 3, 2015, the government of Japan decided to extend humanitarian support to Internally-Displaced Persons (IDPs) and “non-military” assistance for capacity-building for counter-terrorism through the aforementioned international organisations.”

   “Also, on February 3, 2015, the Government of Japan decided to extend the package of USD 100 million with a view to rebuilding the health system of the affected countries and stabilising the societies of those countries being ravaged by the Ebola disease, in addition to treating infected patients and stopping the current outbreak. Although Nigeria was declared Ebola-free on October 20, 2014, Nigeria is still at risk of re-introduction of the virus through its vast land, air and sea borders. Therefore, the government of Japan has decided to support the WHO project to ensure that Nigeria is free from inter-country transmission of Ebola by intensifying surveillance and enhancing preparedness for Ebola”, she further said.

  Chiba pledged her government’s determination to continue to co-operate with the people and government of Nigeria and the international community to eliminate acts of terrorism through “non-military” assistance to support Nigerian people affected by insurgency, and to support Nigerian efforts to keep the country free from Ebola.