The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Government of Japan have taken a significant step towards enhancing stability and human security in the Lake Chad Basin. The two organizations recently organized a ceremony to launch the Japan-Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF) partnership, which is part of the project titled "Enhancing Stabilization and Human Security in the Lake Chad Basin."
The event aimed to officially launch the components funded by the Japanese Supplementary Budget under the Regional Stabilization Facility and advance strategic collaboration for the project's implementation.
In his remarks, H.E. Takaoka Nozomu, Ambassador of Japan to Cameroon, emphasized the importance of the project, not only to Japan but also to the Lake Chad Basin area, including neighboring Cameroon. "Japan is interested in human security since 12 years and this was also hierarchized in the TICAD meeting, at the Tokyo international conference on African Development involving leaders at the African Nations," he said. "This is a great example, a good model of collaboration between Japan and the United Nations, especially the UNDP and the government in Cameroon, Chad and Niger. I am very glad to sign the second phase, and I very much hope that this will also make great progress and success as the first project."
The Japanese government has approved a 3.036 million USD contribution for the project's one-year implementation period, in addition to the 260 million JPY contribution to the Cameroon national window under the RSF in early 2022. The project aims to achieve three expected outcomes, including supporting the restoration of basic social and productive infrastructure, livelihood opportunities, and social cohesion activities in the three target countries, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.
The success of the project's first phase was attested to by Mr. Midjiyawa Bakary, governor of the Far North region, which is one of the participating institutions besides MINEPAT. "What can be said right now is that the security situation is back to normalcy," he said. "We have focused our attention to tackle the rehabilitation. A lot has been done. That is why a country like Japan would for a very long time accompany Cameroon, or rather the Lake Chad basin. We held the same ceremony two years ago, and the amount was well used, that is why the Japanese are very happy and have decided to go further."
The resident representative of the UNDP, Mr. Aliou Mamadou Dia, expressed his gratitude to Japan for its support in stabilizing Cameroon over the last three years and accompanying the country on this important program. "This is to simply say that the Japanese government is by the side of African countries and is standing by Cameroon, by the countries of the Lake Chad Basin and is introducing us to ways we can bring support and help to the inhabitants of that area," he said.
The UNDP and the Government of Japan's commitment to enhancing stabilization and human security in the Lake Chad Basin is commendable and will definitely have a profound impact on the lives of the people in the region. This partnership serves as an excellent example of how collaboration between countries and organizations can bring positive change to communities in need.
Sa'ah Siona Ikei, The Post Newspaper.
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