Social Welfare System Strengthening: Improving OVC Support Systems in Nigeria

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Social Welfare System Strengthening: Improving OVC Support Systems in Nigeria

Nigeria is home to 17.5 million orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) who struggle daily to access food, shelter, education, protection, and care. In 2009, the PEPFAR-funded, USAID project, Community-Based Support for OVC in Nigeria (CUBS), began working to improve support for vulnerable children by strengthening the civil society organizations (CSOs) and child protection committees (CPCs) in their communities. In addition to formalizing and training these community groups, CUBS also linked them to powerful state leaders and stakeholders so they could advocate for government assistance, resources, policy change, and partnerships to support the OVC in their communities.