Conflict throws 5 million people into acute hunger in Northeast Nigeria

The protracted conflict in the Northeast region of Nigeria has pushed more than 5 million people into acute hunger, and more than 2.5 million children are malnourished, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

The WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

Jihadist insurgency by groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which began in 2009 and has caused a severe humanitarian crisis characterized by widespread displacement, food insecurity, and loss of life in the Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

This has led to destroyed infrastructure, disrupted livelihoods, and significant protection risks for civilians, particularly women and children.

Children in the region continue to face heightened insecurity due to the presence of armed groups, which that are largely responsible for most of the violations, in addition to triggering mass displacements.

As of December 2023, some 2,1 million people, including children, were displaced. The UN reports that overall, 2,519 grave violations were committed against 1,250 children from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2023.

Meanwhile, the WFP welcomes recent contributions from donors since warning that operations would be forced to shut down in July.

This includes new funding from the United States of America to support emergency food and nutrition assistance for communities affected by conflict in Northeast Nigeria.

The funding, according to the UN agency, will keep 187 nutrition clinics open across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, ensuring continued treatment for more than 300,000 malnourished children and mothers, a service that was at risk of shutting down.

As Africa’s largest democracy, Nigeria plays a critical role in safeguarding regional stability and preventing the spread of insecurity across the Sahel.

With the funding, the WFP said it will continue to advance humanitarian solutions that drive peace and production, helping to restore Northern Nigeria’s potential as the nation’s breadbasket.

“Support from the United States and other donors will enable WFP to sustain operations over the next three months, reaching 850,000 people in camps and host communities with food assistance.

“This however is a significant reduction from the 1.5 million people WFP assisted in July, reflecting continued funding shortfalls”, the WFP said in a statement made available to the media.

The WFP urgently calls on other donors, including the Nigerian Government and private sector, to help close the funding gap and co-invest in the region.

“Without additional contributions, operations will face further cuts, putting millions of people at risk of deepening hunger. WFP thanks the following donors who have responded since July: United States of America, United Kingdom, EU-ECHO, France, African Development Bank, Saudi Arabia, UN CERF.”, the statement added.

Who said what?

WFP Country Director in Nigeria, David Stevenson said these contributions come at a pivotal moment for Nigeria and the wider region, adding that escalating conflict is driving farmers from their fields.

“Over the past nine months, WFP and partners have recorded more than three attacks each day on communities across the northeast, with farmers among the hardest hit. This disruption to food production has left families with no means to feed themselves, while those left behind face hunger, displacement, and the risk of recruitment by armed groups.” he stressed.