ECOWAS Donates ₦56m for Peace Initiative Supporting Women, Children in Conflict-Hit Plateau State Communities.
By Raymond Enoch
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched a ₦56 million Humanitarian–Development–Peace (HDP) Initiative to support women and children affected by armed conflict in Plateau State, Nigeria.
The initiative targets conflict-affected communities including Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Bassa, and aims to promote peace, healing, and long-term resilience. It focuses on providing psychosocial support for children, empowering women, and fostering local mechanisms to address the root causes of conflict and displacement.
The programme was officially launched during a two-day workshop held in Jos from 29 to 30 September 2025. The event was organised by the ECOWAS Department of Humanitarian Development and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the German development agency GIZ, the Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PPBA), and with the support of the European Union and the Plateau State Government.
Key components of the initiative include the establishment of a Plateau-specific HDP Coordination Mechanism to enhance synergy between humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding actors in the region. It also adopts a gender-sensitive approach, placing emphasis on the unique needs of women and children who have been disproportionately impacted by the recurring violence.
Officials say the project is not just about immediate relief but is part of a broader strategy to build peace and social cohesion, particularly in communities that have been repeatedly destabilized by communal clashes and armed attacks.
The ECOWAS HDP Initiative represents a significant step toward integrated peacebuilding efforts, setting a model for similar interventions in other conflict-affected regions across West Africa.
