More than 5 million Nigerians are in need of food aid

Today, the United Nations is asking one billion dollars to face the humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria. After twelve years of conflict, more than five million people are living in food insecurity there, according to the UN.

According to the UN, uncertainty and ongoing violence, coupled with climate change and the consequences of the corona crisis, are pushing the total number of people dependent on humanitarian aid in Nigeria towards nine million.

More than two million Nigerians are displaced, and 5.1 million suffer from food insecurity, the UN said, underlining “the worst figures in four years”.

The humanitarian crisis in northeastern Nigeria is one of the largest in the world. The jihadist groups Boko Haram and ISWAP, the West African branch of the Islamic State, are involved in a bloody conflict with the Nigerian army.

In 2020, the UN requested more than $800 million for funds, but only 55 per cent of that amount was raised.