Support female survivors of Boko Haram in Nigeria

Dear friends,

Over the last three months, International Alert has continued to provide essential peacebuilding interventions in Northeast Nigeria by improving and restoring trust between community members through dialogue sessions that resolve conflict issues before they escalate into violence. Most of the conflict issues addressed were related to survivors’ acceptance and reintegration. In August 2022, dialogue sessions were conducted in targeted communities in the Damaturu region, reaching 180 participants (92 male and 88 female).

Dialogue sessions are co-facilitated by community stakeholders and social workers who have been trained by International Alert on peacebuilding and conflict resolution practices. These dialogue sessions do not only create forums/spaces for community members to engage and identify key conflict issues, it also empowers them to address conflicts in a collaborative and sustainable manner. Additionally, the sessions have provided platforms for marginalized groups, especially women and people living with disabilities, to be part of decision-making processes.

Elsewhere, in Bauchi State (Northeast Nigeria), Alert celebrated international youth day with the theme ‘Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages’ where we championed youth inclusion as a means for achieving sustainable development and peace. The activity was led by youth champions who have been supported by International Alert through training and financial and technical resources to enhance their participation in conflict prevention, mitigation and management and to increase their access to decision-making.

During the Peace Day celebrations, the youth champions were able to engage government and community stakeholders in peacebuilding initiatives. This included a peace walk to the local government office where participants were addressed by the government’s Chief of Staff. They expressed their readiness to work with the government if given the opportunity and demonstrated their sense of leadership and responsibility. The government representative in response thanked them for the visit and reiterated their support. As a result, the youth champions were provided with financial support by the government to continue their good work as agents of change and positive influences for their peers.

Thanks to your support, Alert’s programme has increased our youth champions’ capacity to engage with diverse stakeholders and add their voices to issues around development and peace at the community, local government and State levels.

On behalf of the whole team at International Alert - thank you.

Yours in peace,

Ollie