Nigeria

The Nigerian government declared a nutrition emergency in Borno State in early July 2016. Action Against Hunger launched a new emergency program in Monguno in Borno within weeks, reaching displaced families who had been cut off from assistance for almost two years.
Guy Calaf for Action Against Hunger, Monguno, Borno, Nigeria

The State of Hunger in Nigeria

Nigeria is experiencing several emergencies, including conflict-induced displacement, rising inflation, increased malnutrition rates, and high levels of food insecurity. Nearly 5.44 million children suffer from acute malnutrition in the North East and North West regions. Over three million people, mostly in Borno state, were impacted by floods in 2024, which killed 1,000 people and displaced around two million.

01. 02.

How We're Helping in Nigeria

Our teams provide lifesaving treatment to severely malnourished children and nutrition counseling to caregivers. We support 94 health facilities with essential services, including supporting safe deliveries, deployment of health workers, empowerment of community volunteers, awareness training, and counseling and psychological first aid.

We provide food and cash assistance, as well as training and start-up grants to flood- and conflict-affected individuals to bolster food security and livelihoods. In the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector, we construct and rehabilitate water points with solar systems.

Through our rapid response mechanism, we assist newly displaced people with non-food items, hygiene kits, and shelter kits, as well as clean water. Emergency WASH activities include borehole rehabilitation, water trucking, the construction and rehabilitation of latrines, and hygiene promotion sessions. We also provide cholera preparedness and response training.

Saide’s children inside the family’s tent. Each day, they receive a nutritious meal cooked by the Porridge Moms.
5.4M

Children Suffer From Acute Malnutrition

Action Against Hunger staff conduct a distribution of hundreds of shelter kits and hygiene kits to displaced people in Monguno, Borno State, Nigeria
94

Health Facilities Supported With Essential Services

"Porridge Moms" Share Strength to Beat Hunger

Inside the Porridge Moms kitchen, which was constructed a year ago and has two hearths for cooking.
Our "Porridge Moms" program in conflict-torn northeast Nigeria teaches displaced mothers how to prevent malnutrition by preparing nutritious meals. The program creates a support network, where moms share knowledge and help each other cope with the trauma they have endured.
In the village of Kaluwa, Yobe State, Nigeria, Action Against Hunger health and nutrition activities in a building intended to house a health establishment, but which is not functioning. In the village of Kaluwa, Yobe State, Nigeria, Action Against Hunger health and nutrition activities in a building intended to house a health establishment, but which is not functioning.
Sébastien Duijndam
Action Against Hunger, Nigeria
Action Against Hunger staff conduct a distribution of hundreds of shelter kits and hygiene kits to displaced people in Monguno, Borno State, Nigeria Action Against Hunger staff conduct a distribution of hundreds of shelter kits and hygiene kits to displaced people in Monguno, Borno State, Nigeria
Guy Calaf
Action Against Hunger, Nigeria
Action Against Hunger staff conduct a distribution of hundreds of shelter kits and hygiene kits to displaced people in Monguno, Borno State, Nigeria Action Against Hunger staff conduct a distribution of hundreds of shelter kits and hygiene kits to displaced people in Monguno, Borno State, Nigeria
Guy Calaf
Action Against Hunger, Nigeria

In Nigeria, we're strengthening and supporting national and local health systems to prevent and treat malnutrition in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five years old.

Nutrition & Health

To prevent the spread of disease and malnutrition, our teams build and restore waterpoints to improve access to safe water.

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene

We're also distributing cash, hygiene kits, shelter materials, and other essential items to families who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict.

Food Security & Livelihoods

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