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North-East Nigeria: Humanitarian Situation Update - Progress on key activities from the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan, August 2018 edition (Covering 1 through 31 July 2018)

Countries
Nigeria
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

7.7 MILLION PEOPLE IN NEED OF LIFE-SAVING ASSISTANCE IN 2018

6.1 MILLION PEOPLE TARGETED FOR LIFE-SAVING ASSISTANCE IN 2018

Now in its ninth year, the crisis in north‐east Nigeria remains one of the most severe in the world. In the three worst‐affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, 1.8 million people are internally displaced and human rights violations continue to be reported daily. Over eighty per cent of internally displaced people (IDPs) are in Borno State, the epicentre of the crisis, and over sixty per cent are living in host communities, making it harder to access them with assistance and putting additional pressure on the already stretched resources of these communities.

Humanitarian organisations continued to monitor and coordinate the response to the increased humanitarian needs surrounding large influxes of new arrivals and exacerbated vulnerabilities related to flooding and the rainy season. From November 2017, when displacement began to escalate largely as a result of military operations, through July 2018, there was movement of nearly 185,000 individuals (149,000 IDP new arrivals and 36,000 returnees) in Borno and Adamawa states. Many of these individuals require humanitarian services and put further pressure on existing response capacities.

The food security and nutrition situation remains concerning as conflict continues to limit the amount of land under cultivation and with the lean season underway the situation is set to worsen. Up to 3 million people are estimated to suffer from critical food insecurity in this current lean season, June to September 2018. Following recent assessments, partners are carrying out a re‐targeting exercise in Borno and Yobe to ensure that the most vulnerable people receive food assistance. Joint seed and food assistance is ongoing across all three states.

The Borno State Government has reactivated the High‐Level Return Task Force, chaired by the Deputy Governor of state, to address the issue of returns. The task force will provide guidance and policy direction on the return of IDPs and refugees to their areas of origin in accordance with the guiding principles of safety, dignity and voluntariness. A Technical Committee on Returns has been set up to support the task force.

With the support of Health sector partners, Borno State health authorities reached 1.1 million children aged three to 59 months in July with anti‐malaria therapy as part of the first phase of a four‐cycle Seasonal Malaria Chemotherapy (SMC) campaign. Malaria is currently the leading cause of mortality, responsible for more than 50 per cent of all recorded deaths in Borno State. The SMC campaign is a preventive strategy, especially during the peak transmission period (rainy season), which has proven effective in reducing cases of severe malaria by about 75 per cent.

No additional confirmed cholera cases were reported in July in Borno and Yobe states where cholera has been officially declared over. However, reports of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) have been received from some areas in Borno and Yobe states during July. AWD often occurs as a natural phenomenon in the north‐east of Nigeria due to weather conditions and weak water and sanitation infrastructure and practices. AWD surveillance teams are monitoring the situation to avoid any risk of a new large‐scale cholera outbreak in the region. In Adamawa State the cholera outbreak is ongoing, but on the decline.

In July, 183 children were released from military detention by the Theatre Command and handed over to Borno State authorities. The release comes after the children, aged 7‐18, were cleared of ties with Non‐State Armed Groups (NSAGs). Coordination meetings are underway with humanitarian actors with regard to the children’s reintegration.

To ensure a strong aid worker presence in the deep field and enhance the effectiveness of the response, six humanitarian hubs with safe accommodation and reliable Internet connectivity are operational in Maiduguri, Gwoza, Bama, Ngala, Dikwa and Monguno. Hubs in Banki and Damasak have been completed, and are now considered operational.

As preparation for the 2019 Humanitarian Needs Overview, data collection for a multi‐sector needs assessment was carried out in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. This is the first time an MSNA is being carried out in the north‐east.

To alleviate the suffering of 6.1 million people in dire need of life‐saving aid in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, the United Nations and partners appealed for $1.05 billion for 176 projects to be implemented by 60 humanitarian organisations. It is the sixth largest single‐country appeal globally. As of 31 July, $504 million (48.1 per cent) of the funds have been received, according to the Financial Tracking Service (FTS).

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.