- – 4.8 million at risk of severe hunger in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe
– 700,000 children projected to be acutely malnourished
- – Appeal aims to provide food, nutrition, and essential services during lean season
The United Nations, in collaboration with the Nigerian government and international partners, has launched a \$306 million appeal to address the escalating food security and nutrition crisis in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states. This initiative targets the lean season from May to September 2025, a period marked by heightened vulnerability due to depleted food stocks and limited agricultural activity.
According to the latest Cadre Harmonisé analysis, approximately 4.8 million people in the BAY states are projected to face severe food insecurity—the highest level in seven years. The crisis is exacerbated by ongoing conflict, climate change impacts, and soaring food prices, which have rendered staple foods unaffordable for many families.
The appeal aims to provide immediate assistance to 2.8 million vulnerable individuals, including children, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Interventions will encompass food assistance, nutrition supplies, clean water, healthcare, and protection services.
Malnutrition rates are of particular concern, with projections indicating that approximately 700,000 children under five could suffer from acute malnutrition in the coming months. Of these, around 230,000 are at risk of death without timely intervention.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that without immediate and coordinated action, the food and nutrition crisis could become catastrophic.
This appeal is part of the broader 2024 UN-coordinated Humanitarian Response Plan for Nigeria, which seeks to address the critical needs of those affected by the crisis and build resilience against future shocks.
