Mediaage NG News – ABUJA, Nigeria
Aiming to stop the tide of violence, conflicts, insurgencies and other challenges in Nigeria, the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) has said it is partnering with Mercy Corps on peace building and conflict resolution across the project implementing states, especially, northern states affected by conflicts.
According to ACReSAL, the collaboration is crucial in establishing sustainable environments for peaceful coexistence and addressing the detrimental impact of these conflicts on livelihoods and food security in the region.
The increasing competition over access to deteriorating natural resources caused by climate change, desertification and population growth has been a major concern for the country, especially northern Nigeria.
Related posts:
ACReSAL Fostering Peaceful Coexistence Through Vegetative Cover And Resource Management
ACReSAL Engages Stakeholders For The Adoption of Sustainable Landscape Management Policies
Conflicts between pastoralists and farmers have resulted in widespread displacement, destruction of basic resources, resulting to increased levels of food insecurity, particularly in the north-eastern region of the country.
In a recent meeting at ACReSAL’s headquarters in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, Project National Coordinator, Abdulhamid Umar said peace building is critical for project delivery and sustainability.
Describing ACReSAL as a high risk project, he emphasized the importance of integrating peace building efforts into the core objectives and deliverables of the ACReSAL Project and stressed the need for sustainable initiatives that can address the root causes of conflicts and contribute to lasting peace in targeted watersheds across the states.
Mr. Umar said the urgent need to address these conflicts must be recognized to pave ways for resilience and sustainable development.
Program Manager at Mercy Corps, Chrisantus Lapang said the organization’s commitment to finding comprehensive solutions to the consequences of conflict and climate change is very important.
He stated that Mercy Corps’ strategic focus on enabling access to clean water, promoting nutritious food, creating economic opportunities, and fostering a peaceful future, are pillars that are fundamental to building resilient communities in the face of multifaceted crises.
He said a key aspect of collaborating with ACReSAL involves working in agreement in developing a comprehensive scope of work and activity timeline for the intervention. “A specific emphasis will be placed on providing conflict resolution training for project core officers”, he added.
According to Mr. Lapang, the training will enable project officers to identify and understand specific types of conflicts prevalent in different geographical areas and states, leading to the development of context-specific mediation guidelines.
While revealing that the partnership between ACReSAL and Mercy Corps represents a significant opportunity to enhance transformational changes in targeted communities, he said it underscores a shared commitment to addressing challenges posed by poverty, conflict, and other complex issues in the region.
The collaborative efforts are poised to create a positive impact, promoting peace, resolving conflicts, and fostering sustainable development in Nigeria.