The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has expressed deep worry about the worsening malnutrition crisis in northeastern Nigeria. Nearly 230,000 children face severe acute malnutrition during the lean season across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
OCHA emphasized the urgent need for immediate funding to enable swift action and an effective response to this deteriorating situation. Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths has allocated $11 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to provide cash aid and essential support, including treatment for severely malnourished children, to the most vulnerable households. An additional $11 million will be contributed by the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund.
This year, northeastern Nigeria has seen a sharp rise in severe acute malnutrition, with admissions to stabilization centers exceeding last year’s levels by more than 50 percent—a record high. The sudden increase has depleted existing supplies, and insufficient resources threaten the closure of many stabilization centers.
“While the new allocations from CERF and the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund will offer short-term relief, substantial additional funding is urgently required to sustain response efforts until September, the end of the lean season,” highlighted OCHA.
The 2024 humanitarian appeal for Nigeria remains critically underfunded. As of now, only a little over 20 percent of the necessary funds have been received, totaling around $190 million out of the nearly $927 million needed.
“Without significant and timely contributions, the lives of numerous children and vulnerable families in northeastern Nigeria are at stake,” lamented OCHA. The organization called on the international community to increase efforts and provide essential resources to address this escalating humanitarian crisis.
Recently, the United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), pledged approximately $176 million in additional humanitarian aid to Nigeria, Mali, and other West African countries. This funding is aimed at addressing severe humanitarian crises exacerbated by conflict, food insecurity, and displacement in the region.
“The funds will be distributed through the United Nations and various partners, including the UN World Food Program, UNICEF, and OCHA,” stated USAID in a released statement.
The escalating malnutrition crisis in northeastern Nigeria demands immediate attention and robust international support to prevent further suffering among vulnerable populations.
