The Mercy Corps’ ‘Building Resilience in Complex Crisis (BRICC)’ programme funded by the European Union, has signed a new partnership with Y’ello Digital Financial Services, owners of the MoMo Agent Network, a subsidiary of MTN Nigeria, to efficiently deliver automated cash transfers and provide an avenue for programme participants with or without bank accounts to receive funds.
The partnership will kick-start the use of MoMo Agent in the distribution of conditional and unconditional cash transfers to 14,270 households in Damaturu and Potiskum LGAs in Yobe state.
The European Union is funding Mercy Corps to implement an array of early recovery interventions across North-east Nigeria which involves cash assistance to vulnerable households and young people to help restore and improve livelihoods, making them more resilient to conflict and climate shock and stress.
COVID-19 has aggravated the impact of the conflict in the state, affecting market opportunities and increasing unemployment.
From the initiative, 1,570 youths would receive funds to help them start a business after undergoing vocational training like automobile repairs, agribusiness, fashion designing, food business, and phone repairs, among others.
BRICC Programme Director, Mercy Corps, Dez Byamukama, said, “The major goal of the BRICC programme is to build the resilience of communities, by providing them with the capacity and resources to respond to shocks and stresses, which have been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Commenting on the collaboration, Chief Executive Officer, Y’ello Digital Financial Services, Usoro Usoro, said his organisation was committed to ensuring that every Nigerian is able to seamlessly access financial services for their personal and business needs.
EU Head of Cooperation, Tassin-Pelzer Cecile, also commended the initiative, noting that cash transfers are often more efficient and effective than other forms of aid.
She said: “Cash provides beneficiaries with the means and flexibility to decide and prioritise their recovery. In many contexts, cash assistance allows more aid to reach the beneficiaries directly.”
