Nigeria

There has been no reprieve in the humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria’s Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, where armed conflict is now in its thirteenth year. 

Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure have made people more vulnerable and continue to impede their access to assistance. More than 2 million internally displaced people are unable to return to their homes.

Protection needs are high, especially for women and girls, due to violence, abduction, rape and other forms of gender-based violence. Children are at risk of forced recruitment, especially when unaccompanied or separated from their families. Conflict and insecurity have cut people off from their agricultural production, resulting in food insecurity.

Climate change is increasing humanitarian needs in Nigeria at an alarming rate. In 2022, the country experienced its worst floods in more than two decades, which affected 4.4 million people. The flooding was a major contributor to the spread of cholera that killed 390 people in Borno State alone.

An estimated 8.3 million people are in need in Nigeria, a slight decrease from 8.4 million people in 2022. Needs vary in severity across geographic areas and among different types of affected groups, such as returnees, host communities and internally displaced people. Some 268,000 people are categorized as being in the worst or “catastrophic” category of need, meaning their capacity to cope has been exhausted.

The 2023 Nigeria Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) requires US$1.3 billion to meet the needs of 6 million people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. As a priority, $631 million is urgently required for an emergency response to 2.4 million people in acute need.