CRS Work in Nigeria

Upon our return to Nigeria in 2000, Catholic Relief Services concentrated on peacebuilding, emergency aid and good governance. Programming was expanded to include HIV and AIDS in 2001.

Peacebuilding

Conflicts among and within ethnic and religious communities in Nigeria have frequently erupted into violence, resulting in the loss of life and destruction of property. CRS works with partners on peacebuilding initiatives that emphasize dialogue between opposing groups at the community level. Peacebuilding is also integrated into the emergency preparedness program to help prevent the escalation of local conflicts. CRS' partners assist in negotiations ranging from religious matters to land disputes.

Emergency Response

Since 2000, hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have been displaced due to the destruction of homes, communal conflicts or natural disasters. CRS' emergency response program increased our partners' ability to respond to the needs of internally displaced people. CRS' partners have delivered food and other essential everyday items to people in need. The interfaith and interagency Emergency Preparedness and Response Training project works with communities to prepare and rapidly respond to emergencies while dealing with issues of peacebuilding.

Extractives and Governance

CRS' governance program supports the Catholic Church and other partners in their efforts to petition oil companies and the government for increased transparency and corporate responsibility. This program also supports activities that increase accountability of petrodollars in Nigeria. Increasing transparency and accountability for the wealth generated from extractives is a key step in good governance. CRS also works with partners to establish healthy relationships in the oil and gas industry, promoting social responsibility on the part of multinational corporations and providing assistance to local governments.

HIV and AIDS

CRS Nigeria is the home to AIDSRelief, a faith-based consortium that has partnered with the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The consortium, led by CRS in Nigeria, assures that people living with HIV have access to antiretroviral therapy and high-quality medical care. The University of Maryland's Institute for Human Virology provides medical technical assistance, while Constella Futures works on the strategic information system. AIDSRelief builds on the capacity of 15 local facilities to provide comprehensive care, treatment and support that is both family- and community-centered.

CRS Nigeria also supports programs that provide community-based care and support for people living with HIV. The program promotes abstinence, fidelity, respect and sexual responsibility. Through partner dioceses, CRS also supports children of adults who are too ill to work and children who live in households where almost all resources are spent on medical treatment.