Standup9ja: Chibok 82 - UN deploys emergency counsellors

Standup9ja: Chibok 82 - UN deploys emergency counsellors

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has deployed an "emergency team of psychosocial counsellors and health professionals" to help profile the extra 82 Chibok girls released from Boko Haram captivity at the weekend so their critical needs can be met.

UNFPA said in a statement it was on standby to provide emergency reproductive health care, psychosocial counselling and other critical support to the survivors.

"Dignity kits, consisting of culturally appropriate attire and intimate hygiene supplies, have been procured and will be distributed to help restore the dignity of the girls," the Fund said.

A similar rehabilitation programme was set up for the first 21 Chibok girls released in October last year.

"The programme is tailor-made to meet each girl’s specific needs of counselling, to help overcome the trauma endured after being held under captivity for more than three years," the Fund said.

"The programme includes among others; access to quality education to bridge the learning gap created during the abduction, access to reproductive health care for their sexual well-being and rehabilitation support, and a skills-acquisition programme to ease their re-integration into their society."

Nearly six in 10 are reported to have experienced some form of gender-based violence since the start of the Boko Haram insurgency, and many have limited access to sexual and reproductive health care.

UNFPA and partners including the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development have provided direct prevention and response services to 200,000 women and girl survivors or at risk of gender-based violence through its ‘safe spaces’ and community outreach.