IOM's EU-funded project aims to restore peace, livelihoods in Nigeria's banditry-hit North-west

In Nigeria's North-west, the pursuit of peace is evolving beyond traditional security operations, embracing community engagement and development initiatives. The International Organization for Migration (IOM), through its EU-funded Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) project, is spearheading efforts to mend fractured communities plagued by banditry and natural disasters.

The CPCRR project operates across several Local Government Areas in Katsina and Zamfara states, employing a multi-faceted approach. This includes establishing community peace committees, empowering youth through livelihood programs, implementing early-warning systems, and providing psychosocial support to victims. The initiative, jointly implemented with Mercy Corps and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), aims to prevent violence, monitor potential threats, and foster sustainable peace.

This intervention comes at a critical time, as the region grapples with a severe humanitarian crisis. The IOM reports that banditry and other forms of violence have rendered approximately 737,073 people homeless across the North-west. A staggering 84% of these internally displaced persons (IDPs) are victims of violence, highlighting the pervasive insecurity.

Katsina State alone hosts an estimated 181,000 IDPs, while Zamfara records over 261,000. The situation is further complicated by the return of nearly 147,000 individuals who are struggling to rebuild their lives after displacement. "So people are being displaced, but people are also trying to go home. The question is not simply: Have they returned? The real question is: Can they stay? Can they rebuild their lives? Can they feel safe again?" asked Sharon Dimanche, Chief of Mission for IOM Nigeria. These questions underscore the urgent need for interventions that address the root causes of displacement and foster lasting stability.

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So people are being displaced, but people are also trying to go home. The question is not simply: Have they returned? The real question is: Can they stay? Can they rebuild their lives? Can they feel safe again?