CLHEI-UNDP VSLA PROJECT: 60 VILLAGE SAVING & LOAN ASSOCIATIONS SETUP ACROSS 12 COMMUNITIES IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA.

The protracted conflict in the North-East Region of Nigeria has spread to neighboring communities and countries.
The effects of the conflict, together with climate change and desertification has made grazing of livestock difficult and has made herders to migrate to the southern part of Nigeria. This has given rise to violent clashes, especially in the middle-belt region, thereby making Nigeria among countries with the highest overall projected conflict risk index and increased risk in social-economic vulnerability, food security and inequality.

With funding from the people of Japan & United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with Benue State Government and Community Links and Human Empowerment Initiative (CLHEI), response is currently in progress for 4 selected conflict-affected LGAs (Agatu, Buruku, Guma & Kwande) in Benue State to help hasten social-economic integration & stability. The intervention in the 4 LGAs of implementation is aimed at improving the protection of the affected Persons of Concern (PoC), restore human dignity, and reduce suffering and disruption of Nigerian populations living in targeted LGAs.

Speaking with the Executive Director of Community Links & Human Empowerment Initiative (CLHEI) the implementing organization, Dr. Helen Teghtegh identified the setting up of Village Saving & Loan Associations (VSLAs) as a platform to improve access to finance in rural & hard-to-reach communities thereby developing a savings culture among women & youth to enable them save toward boosting already existing businesses and start up new businesses.

Resultantly, CLHEI have successfully setup 60 VSLA groups between the month of January - February across 12 communities in the 4LGAs of implementation with 1013 total beneficiaries [Total Male - 180(17.77%), Total Female - 833(82.23%) ] as registered members so far.

Mr. Isaac Kugber, the VSLA Project Team Lead for CLHEI confirmed that the not-for-profit organization is supporting the village saving & loan associations with training for capacity development, technical support and matching grants.

He said the group savings & loan disbursements have commenced among the VSLA group members, and CLHEI with the support of UNDP will commence the disbursements of matching grants to the respective VSLA groups for addition to the associations revolving funds. Substantial progress has been recorded so far suggesting that participation in the program will have an overall impact on various indicators of household and individual welfare and the development of income generating activities.

CLHEI so intends to ensure a long-term sustainability of the VSLA model across the 4 LGAs of implementation in Benue State.