Nigeria: Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states - Situation Report, 12 March 2025

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Funding Cuts Deepen Humanitarian Crisis in North-East Nigeria

The humanitarian crisis in the BAY states has reached a critical juncture following the alarming reduction in funding for humanitarian operations. This has exacerbated the already dire situation, affecting food security, nutrition interventions, healthcare, education, and protection services for vulnerable people.

The World Food Programme (WFP) may be forced to cut food rations and reduce the number of beneficiaries by April 2025. This will leave many families without adequate food, increasing the risk of malnutrition, particularly among children and pregnant women.

Healthcare services have also been severely affected. Many health facilities in the BAY states depend on international funding to operate. The US funding freeze has resulted in a shortage of medical supplies and personnel, compromising the ability to provide essential healthcare services. This is particularly concerning given the ongoing threats of disease outbreaks, such as cholera and measles, which require timely and effective responses.

The reduction in funding has disrupted education programmes, leaving many children without access to education which is crucial for the long-term development and stability of the region. The lack of funding threatens to create a generation of children without the skills and knowledge needed to rebuild their communities.

Protection services, which provide support to vulnerable people such as boys, women and children, have also been affected. The funding reduction has adversely impacted programmes aimed at preventing and responding to gender-based violence, as well as child protection, and psychosocial support services. This has left many vulnerable people without the necessary support to cope with the trauma and challenges they face.

Humanitarian organisations operating in the BAY states have been forced to scale back their operations including for critical programmes such as those treating severe acute malnutrition. Some organizations have had to lay off staff and reduce the scope of their programmes. This has created gaps in service delivery and increased the burden on the remaining organisations.

The funding reduction has also affected the ability of humanitarian organizations to plan and implement long-term activities. Many organizations rely on multi-year funding commitments to develop and execute comprehensive programmes. The reduction has led to a focus on short-term, emergency responses rather than sustainable solutions. Focused on doing everything they can to provide life-saving aid to those in urgent need, humanitarian partners are also intensifying advocacy for stronger engagement by the Government of Nigeria both at Federal and State levels and development partners to ensure greater complementarity between humanitarian and development action. They are also calling for a transformation of the humanitarian operation to promote more efficient and effective use of dwindling resources through closer partnership with local partners (Government and NNGOs), reducing transaction costs, and scaling up anticipatory action to protect lives and livelihoods. These measures aim to maximize the impact of the available resources and ensure that aid reaches those who need it most.

Urgent Call to Action: Addressing the Critical Nutrition Crisis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States

The nutrition situation in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states has reached a critical level, with at least 17 local government areas (LGAs) likely experiencing a severe nutrition crisis. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), these areas are in acute malnutrition phase 4, with global acute malnutrition (GAM) rates ranging from 15 to 29.9 per cent (above the emergency GAM threshold). This alarming situation is unfolding during the post-harvest season, a period that usually has low levels of acute malnutrition. The current situation, a deviation from the norm, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and targeted interventions to address the escalating malnutrition rates. There are inadequate supplies, and service delivery gaps for vulnerable children and pregnant and lactating women.

The critical nutrition situation is exacerbated by several factors, including the ongoing conflict, displacement, and limited livelihoods opportunities and economic stress, which have disrupted food production and access to essential goods and services.

Significant challenges in addressing malnutrition in the BAY states include the shortage of essential nutrition commodities, including ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) and ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF). These shortages hamper efforts to provide timely and effective nutritional support. Nutrition commodity misuse and diversion further complicate the situation. Ensuring that nutrition commodities reach the intended people and are used appropriately requires increased monitoring, transparency, and stricter enforcement of regulations. This is particularly crucial in hard-to-reach areas where the risk of misuse is higher. Another critical challenge is inadequate training of healthcare workers in facility record keeping. Health workers and volunteers in the region often lack the necessary training to effectively manage and document nutrition interventions. This gap in capacity building undermines the quality of service delivery and the overall effectiveness of nutrition programmes. Addressing this issue requires comprehensive training and support for frontline workers, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to tackle the nutrition crisis effectively.

Immediate and coordinated efforts led by the Government and supported by partners and other stakeholders are crucial for scaling up preventive strategies, improving the quality of services, and ensuring sustainable health outcomes. The Government must take the lead in mobilizing resources and coordinating efforts to address the nutrition crisis. This includes ensuring the availability of essential nutrition commodities, strengthening monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and providing the necessary training and support to health workers.

Partners and stakeholders, including UN agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community-based organizations (CBOs), also have a critical role in providing technical assistance, funding, and implementing nutrition programmes. Collaborative efforts are needed to address the root causes of malnutrition.

Preventive strategies such as promoting breastfeeding, improving maternal and child nutrition, and ensuring access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare remain crucial for addressing the nutrition crisis in the BAY states.

So is improving service quality by ensuring that health facilities are adequately equipped and staffed, and that health workers are trained and supported to provide high-quality nutrition services. The supply chain also needs to be strengthened to ensure the timely and efficient delivery of nutrition commodities.

Ensuring sustainable health outcomes requires a long-term commitment to addressing the nutrition crisis. This includes investing in health and nutrition infrastructure, promoting community-based approaches, and fostering a culture of accountability and transparency. By working together, the government, partners, and stakeholders can create a more sustainable and resilient health and nutrition system that meets the needs of the most vulnerable populations.

Borno State Government (BSG) facilitates return of over 7,000 Nigerian refugees to Borno State from Chad

The Borno State Government (BSG) has completed the relocation of over 7,000 refugees repatriated from the Republic of Chad back to their places of origin. The Government stated that the refugee returnees had expressed their interest in returning during a return intention survey, which was conducted to determine their willingness to go back to their original communities in Borno State.

As of mid-February, the BSG had completed the repatriation of over 7,200 people from Chad. The returnees arrived in three groups, with the first group of close to 3,000 people arriving on 8 February, followed by subsequent returns on 13 and 18 February. All returnees transited through Banki LGA on their way to Maiduguri.

This repatriation exercise was a collaborative effort led by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and the BSG. Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, led a delegation to Chad to oversee the repatriation process. The refugee returnees were transported from refugee camps in Chad to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, and then relocated to their respective LGAs, including Kukawa, Ngala and Mobbar.

The returnees face numerous challenges as they attempt to rebuild their lives. This includes the shortage of essential supplies and services in their areas of return. Many of them had lost their homes and livelihoods as they fled, leaving them in need for immediate assistance to meet their basic needs. The BSG, in collaboration with NCFRMI, provided relief materials, including food and non-food items including cash.

The items distributed to the refugee returnees included 2,400 bags of rice, 3,500 cartons of spaghetti, 500 cartons of vegetable oil, 185 bags of millet, 1,600 bags of cement, 500 mattresses, 500 mats, 400 bed sheets, 500 blankets, 300 cartons of water purifiers, 500 mosquito nets, and 300 plastic buckets with taps. Additionally, each refugee household received 200,000 Naira (about US$133) to help ease their transition back to their communities.

The BSG has made significant strides in improving security and rebuilding infrastructure in most of the affected LGAs. It has reopened schools and hospitals, rebuilt homes, and restored essential services to support the returnees. In addition to these efforts, the government has emphasized the importance of community engagement and participation in the reintegration process. Local leaders and community members have been involved in the planning and implementation of reintegration programmes to ensure that the needs and concerns of the returnees are adequately addressed. National NGO GISCOR with funding from UNHCR is monitoring their needs and reintegration.

However, many of the areas where the refugee returnees have returned remain largely insecure, with ongoing threats from non-state armed groups (NSAGs). There is also a lack of adequate infrastructure and services, such as healthcare, education, and clean water. Ensuring the safety and well-being of the returnees requires sustained efforts led by the Government. Humanitarian organizations continue to advocate for the safe and dignified return of refugees. Their journey home should be safe, to secure settlements with access to basic services. A safe return is just the beginning; sustainable reintegration and economic empowerment are key to rebuilding their lives and communities.

Record high civilian casualties due to increased IED threats reported in 2024

The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) reported a dramatic rise in improvised explosive device (IED) incidents in 2024, resulting in 418 civilian casualties in the BAY states. This figure represents the highest number of civilian casualties since 2020 and marks a 118 per cent increase compared to 2023. The alarming rise in casualties underscores the growing threat posed by explosive ordnance (EO) in the region, with 74 per cent of the overall 267 explosive ordnance incidents recorded in 2024 resulting in civilian harm.

The contamination of explosive ordnance in the BAY states is endangering civilian lives. It also severely hampered the delivery of humanitarian aid in 2024. The presence of IEDs and other explosive hazards restricts safe movement, impedes recovery efforts, and creates an environment of fear among the affected communities. Ensuring safe access to these areas is crucial for providing essential services and support to those in need.

UNMAS continues to work with partners to mitigate the impact of explosive hazards through various initiatives. One of these includes risk education, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of explosive ordnance and promote safe behaviours among the affected people. Through community-based education programmes, UNMAS and its partners provide critical information on how to recognize, avoid, and report explosive hazards, thereby reducing the risk of accidental injuries and deaths.

In addition to risk education, partners conduct awareness campaigns to inform the public about the threat of explosive ordnance and the importance of adhering to safety guidelines. These campaigns utilize various media platforms, including radio, television, and social media, to reach a wide audience and ensure that the message of safety and vigilance is disseminated effectively.

Capacity building is another vital component in addressing the explosive ordnance threat. This involves training local authorities, security forces, and community members in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) techniques. By equipping local actors with the skills and knowledge needed to safely identify and dispose explosive hazards, partners aim to build a sustainable and locally driven response to the threat. This approach not only enhances the immediate safety of the affected areas but also empowers communities to take an active role in their safety and protection.

The impact of explosive ordnance contamination extends beyond immediate physical harm. It also has profound socio-economic consequences for the affected communities. The presence of IEDs and other explosive hazards disrupts agricultural activities, limits access to markets and schools and hinders the overall recovery and development of the communities in the BAY states. Farmers are often unable to cultivate their land due to the fear of unexploded ordnance, leading to food insecurity and economic hardship. Similarly, children are deprived of education as schools remain closed or inaccessible due to the threat of explosive hazards.

To address these challenges, partners are advocating for increased support and resources to enhance their efforts in the BAY states. This includes funding for risk education programmes, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building initiatives, as well as the provision of advanced equipment and technology for explosive ordnance disposal. By strengthening the collective response to the explosive ordnance threat, it is possible to create a safer environment for the affected communities and support their long-term recovery and development.