Humanitarian Assistance for Conflict-Affected People in North-East Nigeria - IRC 2021

February 2021 - Nearly twelve years of conflict between Islamist insurgents and government forces in northeastern Nigeria have left the region facing a desperate humanitarian crisis characterized by mass population displacement and severe human rights abuses including abductions killings and sexual violence. Destruction of infrastructure has left most of the population without access to safe water sanitation or healthcare and widespread food insecurity exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has left the region on the brink of famine. Across the three conflict-affected states of Adamawa Borno and Yobe an estimated 8.9 million people will need humanitarian assistance in 2021. With GAC’s support IRC is improving access to healthcare including therapeutic treatment for acute malnutrition and safe water and sanitation amongst conflict-affected internally displaced persons and host communities in Nigeria’s Borno state. Project activities include: (1) providing training and support for local health facilities; (2) identifying and treating acute malnutrition; and (3) rehabilitation or establishment of water points and sanitation facilities in targeted communities.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) reduced rates of morbidity and mortality due to illness including acute malnutrition and injury; and (2) reduced vulnerability to water-borne disease and COVID-19 amongst conflict-affected communities in Borno State. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.