The Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme has reiterated its commitment to supporting victims of floods across the country. This was announced by the National Coordinator of the program, Abdulkarim Obaje, during the inauguration of a two-day Peer Learning and Experience Sharing event for the North-East Zone held in Bauchi on Thursday.
Obaje emphasized the devastating impact of economic and environmental shocks on the livelihoods of vulnerable populations in Nigeria, particularly in light of recent flood disasters. He highlighted the government’s efforts, both through local and international partnerships, to develop effective responses to such shocks.
“The NG-CARES Programme is one of those responses, backed by the World Bank,” Obaje said. “Since its restructuring in 2023, NG-CARES expanded its scope beyond COVID-19 recovery to address flood-related challenges, recognizing the widespread destruction caused by flooding, especially since 2019.”
The programme now aims to build a robust shock response mechanism, enabling its 160 delivery platforms across the country to mobilize quickly when crises like floods occur. Obaje mentioned that a large number of flood-displaced individuals, particularly in Borno State, have already benefitted from NG-CARES’ social support services.
“Flooding, along with other disasters, is a primary focus for us,” Obaje noted, adding that the programme has achieved significant results. “We have surpassed our targets by 20 to 30 percent. While the World Bank initially provided $735 million, we have already exceeded our goals with results worth $834 million.”
The coordinator revealed that NG-CARES is seeking an additional $500 million in funding to scale up its impact, projecting that the programme could deliver up to $1.5 billion in results over the next three to four years.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Madugu Yalams, commended the Federal Government for its initiative in organizing the NG-CARES Programme. He stressed the importance of the program in providing food security, promoting small businesses, and improving infrastructure.
“The impact of NG-CARES cannot be overstated,” Governor Mohammed said. “I urge participants to remain committed to ensuring the programme’s success, and I appeal to beneficiaries to maintain and sustain the micro-projects provided for the benefit of current and future generations.”
The NG-CARES Programme continues to play a critical role in providing relief and support to vulnerable communities affected by floods and other economic shocks, demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to improving resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.