Street Child

With support from the Fund, Street Child has reached thousands of children in north-eastern Nigeria. The Boko Haram crisis has forced more than 1.4 million children to flee their homes. Ten years after the beginning of the insurgency, repeated attacks have left entire villages barren and burned. More than 20,000 people have been killed, while more than 4,000 have been abducted.

As with any conflict, children in Nigeria are paying the highest price for something completely out of their control. More than 800 schools across the region have been closed, and many have been irreparably destroyed. Violence against women and children is increasing, especially by members of armed groups, the military, and the national government’s emergency management personnel. And of every four suicide bombers, one is a child.

To support children and families struggling with displacement, trauma and violence, Street Child used support from the Fund to reach children in Borno State, Adamawa State and Yobe State. These projects targeted internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities.

During the project, Street Child:

• Provided opportunities for sustainable incomes and train families on vocational skills, including 510 caregivers who started small projects for sustained income, 82 per cent of whom were female. 
• Empowered 618 caregivers with positive parenting skills.
• Raised awareness on child rights, along with the roles and responsibilities of all community members. In addition, Street Child sensitised community leaders, teachers and government officers on the reintegration of children associated with armed groups. These activities work to decrease stigma and increase compassion for these children.
• Supported 14,866 children – 53 per cent of whom are girls – with stress management and life skills, including 50 children formerly associated with armed groups. 
• Created a referral and response mechanism for community volunteers and service providers. This mechanism, which was publicised through signposts, created smoother interventions, decreased duplication of activities, and strengthened target service provision.