Call for EOIs: Child Protection and Psychosocial Support in Benue State (Nigeria)

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund UNICEF is inviting applications to strengthen child protection systems and psychosocial wellbeing services for displaced children, adolescents, and caregivers in humanitarian settings across Benue State, Nigeria. The initiative focuses on improving protection, safety, and mental health support for populations affected by ongoing insecurity and displacement.

The programme is implemented in response to escalating humanitarian needs in North-Central Nigeria, particularly in internally displaced persons (IDP) communities.

Programme Overview

The initiative aims to strengthen child protection and psychosocial support services in displacement-affected communities. It works through local civil society organizations and community-based structures to improve protection systems, referral pathways, and service delivery.

The programme focuses on integrated responses combining protection, mental health support, and community resilience-building.

Humanitarian Context in Benue State

Benue State faces a worsening humanitarian situation driven by:

• Communal clashes and land disputes
• Armed attacks and insecurity
• Large-scale internal displacement
• Prolonged instability in affected communities

Key affected local government areas include:

• Makurdi
• Guma
• Gwer West

These conditions have significantly increased vulnerability among women, children, and marginalized groups.

Key Protection Challenges

Displaced populations in the region face multiple protection risks, including:

• Gender-based violence (GBV)
• Child labour and trafficking
• Early and forced marriage
• Sexual exploitation and abuse
• Limited access to education
• Inadequate sanitation and living conditions
• Lack of livelihood opportunities

Children and adolescents are especially affected due to disrupted family and social structures.

Focus Areas

The programme addresses a wide range of child protection and psychosocial wellbeing priorities, including:

• Child protection systems strengthening
• Family tracing and reunification
• Gender-based violence prevention and response
• Legal assistance and access to justice
• Protection in emergencies and conflict settings
• Psychosocial support and mental health services
• Case management for vulnerable children
• Community awareness and protection services
• Referral systems for survivors of violence

Implementation Approach

The initiative is implemented through collaboration with local civil society organizations and community-based structures. Key implementation strategies include:

• Strengthening community child protection networks
• Training auxiliary social workers and frontline responders
• Improving identification, reporting, and referral systems
• Enhancing GBV response mechanisms
• Expanding psychosocial support services in IDP camps
• Integrating disability-inclusive protection programming

Capacity Strengthening Components

The programme focuses on building local capacity through:

• Training of community protection actors
• Strengthening case management systems
• Supporting local NGOs in service delivery
• Improving coordination among protection stakeholders
• Enhancing psychosocial support service delivery

Expected Results

The programme aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• 68,935 children, adolescents, and caregivers reached with psychosocial support services
• 38,604 individuals supported with GBV risk mitigation and response interventions
• 194 children with disabilities supported through case management services
• 14,476 community members reached with child protection information
• 1,500 survivors of violence provided with health, legal, and social services
• Distribution of dignity kits and recreational kits across IDP camps in targeted areas

Why This Programme Matters

• Addresses severe protection risks in displacement settings
• Strengthens mental health and psychosocial wellbeing for affected populations
• Improves response systems for gender-based violence and child abuse
• Enhances community-based protection mechanisms in fragile contexts
• Supports vulnerable children, including those with disabilities
• Promotes safer and more resilient IDP communities

Conclusion

The UNICEF child protection and psychosocial support initiative in Benue State is a targeted humanitarian programme designed to improve safety, wellbeing, and protection outcomes for displaced children and families. By strengthening community systems, expanding psychosocial services, and improving GBV response mechanisms, the programme helps reduce vulnerability and build resilience in one of Nigeria’s most affected regions.