The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has disclosed that $160 million is required to combat food insecurity and malnutrition in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe between May and October this year.
The agency said the funding would be used to cater to the needs of two million people in the state who are in dire need.
It noted that 4.6 million people need food assistance in the state and 1 million children face severe malnutrition, but due to funding shortfalls and the freezing of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the number was trimmed to accommodate the most vulnerable.
The agency also revealed that facilities are operating at low capacity, adding that about 70 per cent of health facilities have been shut down due to funding constraints.
The UNOCHA Head of Office, Trond Jensen, said there was a need to look inward and seek resources from other donors, federal and state governments, and private entities to meet the needs of the people.
Speaking during a virtual media briefing on Monday ahead of the launch of the 2025 Lean Season Food Security and Nutrition Crisis Multi-Sector Plan for Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, Jensen said: “We are looking at the worst situation in the last ten years. Children are on the brink of existence, and we are facing a dire financial situation because of the freeze of the USAID; in the past, not less than 60 per cent of our support came from USAID, but with this situation, the challenge of food insecurity and malnutrition is worse.
“Between May and October this year, people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States are going to face a serious humanitarian crisis.4.6 million people will be food-insecure, but we can only reach 2 million people with the $160 million funding we hope to get.
“The $160m is the absolute minimum that we need because we are being practical. With the freeze of USAID and cuts from other donors, we cannot reach the entire number of people in dire need. Currently, 70 per cent of health facilities in the States are closed, and others are operating at low levels. So, we need support from every source, including the federal government, state governments, private entities, and individuals, because the situation is critical, and it could get worse with the rainy season coming, insecurity, and an increase in food prices. This is urgent, we need the support now so that we can save lives.
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Giving a breakdown of the intervention the funds would be used for, Jensen said: “From May to October, which is the lean season, we need $ 160 million to reach people. $62million is required for food intervention, $33million for healthcare, $40million for nutrition intervention, $10million for protection, $14million for water and sanitation and $1million for logistical support. This covers the most critical gap, and it is just for the lean season period.
Speaking on the rate of malnutrition in the states, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative, Nemat Hajeebhoy revealed that not less than 600,000 children are at risk of acute malnutrition during the lean season.
She noted that the figure shows that every month, 100,000 children who are at risk of malnutrition will be on the brink of death if nothing is done to raise the needed funds.
Hajeebhoy said Nigeria has the highest number of malnourished children in Africa and ranks second globally, with about 3 million children.
“The children are at high risk of death due to malnutrition, and it is important to look at the situation critically and source for funding to avoid the death of many children”.
The World Food Programme Representative, Serigne Loum, expressed disappointment that, due to the funding constraint, 3.3 million people in the states will not receive any humanitarian aid during the lean season.