Maiduguri, 29 January - The Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and their partners today unveiled the Special Multi-Partner Delivery Fund (SMDF) and the Nexus Funding Facility (NFF) at the 5th edition of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum. These groundbreaking mechanisms aim to enhance resilience, promote sustainable development, and advance peace across the region. Stretching across Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, the Lake Chad Basin remains one of the regions most severely impacted by insecurity and forced displacement. As of November 2024, over 6 million people, including internally displaced persons, returnees, and refugees—continue to endure the devastating effects of this crisis, with women and youth bearing a disproportionate burden. 

The SMDF directly supports the Regional Strategy for the Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience (RS SRR) of the Boko Haram-Affected Areas in the Lake Chad Basin Region (RS SRR) by enhancing LCBC's capacity to effectively coordinate efforts to stabilize the region, build resilience and foster social cohesion. The LCBC promotes the harmonization of regional policies and protocols to effectively reconcile and reintegrate former associates of Boko Haram in local communities. 

The NFF introduces a flexible, multi-year funding model designed to harmonize Humanitarian, Development, and Peacebuilding (HDP) efforts. By prioritizing locally driven solutions, it strengthens regional responses to complex challenges. 

"Over the past six years, under the RS SRR framework, we have enabled the safe return of more than one million displaced persons, rehabilitated essential infrastructure, created economic opportunities, and facilitated the demobilization of over 100,000 individuals formerly associated with Boko Haram in territories previously under their control. With the support of the SMDF, these efforts will continue with better coordination, with one of the key priorities being enhanced collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs), essential pillars of locally driven, inclusive and sustainable solutions." Said His Excellency Ambassador Mamman Nuhu, Executive Secretary of the LCBC. 

Since 2019, the Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF), a cornerstone of the RS SRR, has reached 1,357,713 people including 726,222 women, by improving security, service delivery, and economic opportunities. This progress is supported by positive examples of collaboration with HDP actors across the region. 

"The conflict deprived us of our livelihoods and sense of security. After finding refuge in Bol, I received an identity card that changed everything for me. Now, I can access healthcare at the local hospital and enroll my children in school that has been rehabilitated. For the first time in years, I feel like we have a future" shared Ms. Hadje Abderahmane, a 37-year-old displaced woman who fled the violence in her village of Fouli. 

UNDP and UNHCR’s complementary efforts in Chad’s Lac Province enabled 981 displaced people to obtain identity cards, facilitating access to essential services. In stabilization zone of Koulkime, UNDP and WFP introduced school feeding programs in a school with renovated and newly built classrooms, reaching 362 students, including 171 girls and supporting both nutrition and education. These efforts highlight the need to sustain and expand HDP partnerships for lasting impact. 

"The launch of the SMDF and NFF is a game-changer for collaboration across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. These groundbreaking mechanisms are about driving real change, transforming lives, and building lasting resilience for communities that have faced instability for far too long. UNDP stands firmly committed to these efforts, ensuring sustainable solutions that improve lives across the Lake Chad Basin region” said Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator, and Regional Director for Africa. 

The SMDF has already received support from several committed partners including the Federal Republic of Germany and Sweden. 

“Germany has been a steadfast partner of the people of the Lake Chad Basin region. Since 2019 we have supported the Lake Chad Basin Commission in advancing peace and prosperity in the region. Now we are committed to supporting the Special Multi-Partner Delivery Fund and the newly established Nexus Funding Facility, which are instrumental in driving a coordinated, gender-inclusive, and conflict-sensitive response to deliver sustainable solutions across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus and promote resilience and development in this region facing complex challenges. I call on all partners to get involved - Now is the time to act at scale and consolidate hard-won progress!" said Ms. Anka Feldhusen, Director for Crisis Prevention at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany. 

A longstanding partner to UNDP, LCBC and the stabilization efforts in the Lake Chad Basin region, Sweden recognizes the SMDF as a significant opportunity to strengthen resilience and peace. 

“The SMDF will leverage more long-lasting solutions that address the root causes and underlying drivers to conflict in a strategic way when designed together. A success factor will be continued support to the LCBC for the steering and coordination of the RS SRR, having a longer-term perspective on peace and stability that is owned locally. "said Mr Joachim Beijmo, Head of Regional Africa Development Cooperation for Sweden. 

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Note to editors: 

About the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience 

The Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) was established on May 22, 1964, to manage Lake Chad and its shared water resources, preserve the ecosystem, and promote regional integration, peace, security, and sustainable development in the Lake Chad region. To help address the evolving challenges in the region, the LCBC developed the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience (RS SRR), which was endorsed by the African Union in 2018 and revised in 2024 to tackle the complex security, humanitarian, and development issues facing the Lake Chad Basin. It promotes a coordinated, multisectoral approach across subnational, national, and cross-border initiatives to achieve long-term stabilization, recovery, and resilience. 

Learn more at: www.cblt.org  

About the United Nations Development Programme and the Regional Stabilization Facility 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end poverty, inequality, and climate change. With a broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations build integrated and sustainable solutions for people and the planet. In 2019, UNDP launched the Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF) in partnership with the LCBC. The facility is a funding mechanism supported by international donors and regional and national partners. The facility focuses on conflict-affected areaswith time-bound, localized, and integrated interventions to re-establish state presence, improve security, and rebuild the social contract between communities and governments. 

Learn more at: www.undp.org/africa/waca and https://www.undp.org/africa/waca/undp-regional-stabilization-facility 

Follow the conversation: @lcbc_cblt | @UNDPWACA | @UNDPNigeria | @UNDPAfrica 

For media inquiries and requests for interviews, please contact: 

• Scheherazade Bouabid, Regional Stabilization Facility Communications Specialist, UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa | scheherazade.bouabid@undp.org
• Fajong Joseph Lereh, Communication Expert, Lake Chad Basin Commission | j.fajong@cblt.org
• Ugochukwu Kingsley Ahuchaogu, Head of Communications and Regional Communications Analyst, UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa and UNDP Senegal | ugochukwu.kingsley@undp.org