Latest updates on country situation
18 September 2023
A diphtheria outbreak declared on 20 January 2023 continues in several states of Nigeria. Between May 2022 and early September 2023, over 6,000 cases were confirmed. Between June–August, over 5,800 suspected cases were reported, 4,000 of which were recorded in August only. Many of these cases are from Kano state, where over 280 patients are being admitted weekly in treatment centres. Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, and Yobe states have also reported diphtheria cases. A worldwide shortage of treatment [can we say ‘medication’ instead?] given low production capacity and low national vaccination coverage could further worsen the outbreak. As at September 2023, only about 70% of children had received their first vaccine dose. Diphtheria is transmitted through direct contact or air droplets and has a higher death rate in settings with poor access to treatment, particularly among children.
(MSF 19/09/2023, WHO 13/09/2023,
UNICEF 19/09/2023)
17 July 2023
On 14 July, a state of emergency was declared in Nigeria following high levels of food insecurity. Increased food prices caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy, protracted conflict, and limited humanitarian presence in North West and North Central Nigeria are driving high food needs during the lean season (June–September). (IRC 17/07/2023
VoA 14/07/2023
FEWS NET 11/07/2023)
20 June 2023
Since early 2023, severe cases of malnutrition among children have worsened in Borno state. Nutrition surveillance data from March–April 2023 shows a deteriorated nutrition situation in five local government areas in the state, including Bama, Gwoza, Magumeri, Ngala, and Nganzai. In Maiduguri, the number of children facing moderate and severe acute malnutrition admitted in stabilisation centres has increased, from 75 per week in January to about 150 in April, representing a 48% increase compared to the same period in 2022. As it is the lean season (May–September), these figures may continue rising in the coming months. Consecutive prolonged lean seasons, acute food insecurity, extreme flooding in 2022, infectious disease cycles, and poor living conditions in camps further aggravate the situation. Currently, an estimated two million children in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states face acute malnutrition in 2023; 700,000 of them are at risk of severe acute malnutrition. (MSF 26/04/2023, OCHA 17/06/2023, Nutrition Cluster/UNICEF 09/06/2023)
09 March 2023
In 2021, 7.3 million women and girls in Nigeria of ages 15–49 were undernourished – a 30% increase compared to 2018. Undernourished women and adolescent girls face increased risks of fatal complications during pregnancy and childbirth because of weakened immunity. They are in need of nutrition assistance. Undernutrition remains a problem in the country at the same time that it experiences conflict, high levels of poverty, and a food crisis.
(UNICEF 07/03/2023, UNICEF 03/2023, BBC 08/03/2023)
current crises
in
Nigeria
These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.
NGA001 - Complex crisis
Last updated 28/08/2023
Drivers
Conflict
Displacement
Violence
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
4.2 Very High
Access constraints
5.0
NGA003 - Middle Belt
Last updated 28/08/2023
Drivers
Violence
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
3.4 High
Access constraints
2.0
NGA004 - Lake Chad basin crisis
Last updated 28/08/2023
Drivers
Conflict
Displacement
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
4.3 Very High
Access constraints
5.0
NGA007 - Northwest Banditry
Last updated 28/08/2023
Drivers
Violence
Displacement
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
3.7 High
Access constraints
3.0
NGA008 - Cameroonian Refugees
Last updated 28/08/2023
Drivers
Displacement
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
2.3 Medium
Access constraints
2.0
REG001 - Lake Chad basin regional crisis
Last updated 31/08/2023
Drivers
Crisis level
Regional
Severity level
4.4 Very High
Access constraints
5.0
Analysis products
on
Nigeria
21 October 2022
Nigeria: country-wide flooding
DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB
Since June 2022, heavy rainfall and strong winds have been severely affecting Nigeria. As at 6 October, flooding had affected 33 of its 36 states. As at 20 October, the crisis had displaced more than 1.4 million people and affected over 2.5 million. The floods have triggered a cholera outbreak in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.
17 August 2022
Lake Chad Basin: Impact of extreme weather & climate events on food security
DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB
This report aims to explore the impact of extreme weather and climate events on the humanitarian situation in the Lake Chad Basin. Since the 1970s in West and Central Africa, river floods and agricultural and ecological droughts have been increasing while average rainfall has been decreasing. These phenomena have an impact on availability of resources and land, and consequently on the economic and living conditions of the regions’ populations.
18 November 2021
Nigeria and Niger: Cholera outbreak
DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB
This report highlights the impact of the outbreak considering the current conflict environment and other aggravating factors.
06 October 2020
Flooding in Chad, Niger and Nigeria
DOCUMENT / PDF / 367 KB
Heavy rains have caused extensive flooding in Chad, Niger and Nigeria since the onset of rainy seasons in June. Chad’s rainy season, expected to last until October, is the heaviest in the past 30 years. Flooding in Niger has affected almost twice the estimated population. Flooding in Nigeria is less widespread than in 2019, but is still significant.
24 July 2020
Nigeria: Banditry violence and displacement in the Northwest
DOCUMENT / PDF / 237 KB
A new humanitarian crisis is emerging in Nigeria’s northwest with the ongoing activities of armed groups referred to locally as ‘bandits’ in six states. Attacks have included shooting and killing, cattle rustling, kidnapping, rape, torching of entire villages, and looting of valuables, and the numbers of fatalities and displaced people have continued to rise.