Switzerland Government says it has disbursed funds to Nigeria to cater for over 400,000 returned and potential migrants residing in northern Nigeria.
Switzerland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. George Steiner disclosed this, in Abuja, during the launch of the project tagged: “Providing immediate socio-economic relief to vulnerable migrants returnees impacted by COVID-19 in the Northern states of Nigeria”.
Steiner, who identified international solidarity and cooperation as key to tackling challenges occasioned by COVID-19, regretted the pandemic has proven to be this generation’s biggest crisis.
He said: “Switzerland has committed funding to support Nigeria’s government in the fight against the pandemic and its consequences.
“Switzerland stands by Nigeria in these difficult times and swiftly mobilised financial resources to support the United Nation (UN) COVID-19 basket fund in Nigeria in June 2020.”
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq said prospective beneficiaries would be drawn from Yobe, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, and Jigawa.
Farouq said the project showcased the government’s commitment to tackling emerging issues and challenges that might confront returnees and potential migrants in Nigeria.
She expressed gratitude to the government and good people of Switzerland for supporting the initiative and other activities that enhance the livelihood of persons of concern in Nigeria.
