The objective of the project is to ensure that internally displaced persons (IDPs) are able to fully exercise their human rights through access to quality public services delivered in decent working conditions, and that trade union members in health and social services have increased capacity to represent the interests of workers affected by internal displacement by organizing and campaigning on issues related to internal displacement.

An alarming rise in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria over recent years has led to a need to strengthen the capacity of public sector workers in zones often badly affected by violent extremism and terrorism.

IDPs in Nigeria live in very poor and insecure conditions and their access to basic food supplies is very limited. Access to public services, such as shelter, health, education, safe water and sanitation, is a very pressing and urgent concern.

This project seeks to strengthen trade unions’ capacity using, among other key tools, a written guide that provides trade union members with basic knowledge of the human rights of IDPs and how to defend non-discriminatory access to quality public services. Activities under the project include training sessions designed to increase the capacity of trade union members to engage and participate actively as major stakeholders in advocacy, campaigns, policy development and social dialogue on issues pertaining to internal displacement and access to quality public services at all levels.

Target beneficiaries of the project are the elected leaders, staff and members of PSI affiliates in the health sector, namely the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) at the national level and in the northeast states, namely Borno and Yobe, which host the highest concentration of IDPs.

Overall, the project will benefit internally displaced persons in Nigeria, including the workers who are themselves internally displaced.