Early Warning Intervention strengthens communities resolve to counter extremist’s ideologies
“This intervention has done a lot for our communities”
community members during a CRN meeting
Kanama, Mozagun and and Garin Gada communities in Yunusari LGA of Yobe state have remained steadfast and committed to building resilience against violent extremists ideologies, disrupting extremists entry point into their communities
This followed the implementation of the strengthening Early Warning and Early Response Mechanism by Centre for Community Development and research Network CCDRN at the behest of North East Regional Initiative with support from USAID/OTI.
The project which is been implemented in a bid to strengthen, formalize and expand communities’ capacity to organize, network, identify and respond to early warning signs in the identified communities saw to the training of selected Community Observers and creation of Community Response networks systematically identified through the communities.
Local based organizations, parents, local councils, traditional leaders, religious leaders, youth leaders, market women, private security practitioners and other stake holders within and outside these communities have deepened collaboration to specifically identify and rein back the early warning subjects in their communities.
women group at a CRN meeting of the NERI sponsored Early Warning project
Through regular meetings by community response network and community forum members, these communities work in one accord, using community based approach to respond and address identified early warning signs. Issues and conflicts emanating from their communities are addressed. They also meet to share experiences and cross breed ideas during community forum meetings to further deepen their resilience against violent extremist ideologies.
“This intervention has done a lot for our communities. Now, as it is, community members have a more coordinated way of reporting early warning signs and I can tell you that I have seen a lot of achievement that has come to our community through this project and we are really appreciative of this gesture. On our part as an LGA, we are working with these communities whenever they bring up anything that requires our attention. It’s just that now we still have cases of drug abuse that needs to be addressed and we are working as community to find solution to that menace. I can assure you that this intervention has brought peace to these communities and they are working hard to maintain it” said Bashir Lawal kyari, executive Vice Chairman, Yunusari LGA.
Kanama, Mozogun and Garin Gada, the once troubled border town communities in Yunusari LGA, Yobe state had lived under disquiets, reciprocal mistrust, accusations and counter accusations of belonging to or supporting the dreaded sect. There was no well-designed structure that represents all community groups working for identification and reporting Early Warning Signs in all three communities prior to the intervention from NERI. This now has changed as the three communities now own the process and commit more to sustaining the effort to build resilience and Solidify early warning system.
