The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted in a report that the food security situation confronting the north-east of Nigeria has deteriorated. The report explained that findings from the October 2019 post-harvest Cadre Harmonize (CH) analysis indicated that 2.95 million people are food insecure across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.

The report affirmed that the figure above marks a 72 percent increase compared to findings of the CH analysis during the same period in October 2018 (1.7m). It further stated that those numbers were expected to increase to 3.84 million this year, in the absence of sustained humanitarian assistance.

It stated: “The marked deterioration in the food security situation is linked to the upsurge in insecurity as evidenced in renewed attacks by non-state armed groups which have led to a new wave of displacements, and limited access to farming and grazing land essential for livelihood opportunities. This situation has stretched communal resources due to increased dependency from Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and returnees.

“Most Local Government Areas with conspicuous levels of deterioration in the food security situation have been captured in partners’ planning and response strategy for prioritisation. Sector partners will maintain ongoing assistance as planned with close monitoring of the food security situation.”

As of October 2019, around 2.2 million people had received food security assistance. Of this number, 37 per cent received food assistance and the remainder agriculture and livelihood assistance. The government of Nigeria has continued to conduct food distribution, including cereals and condiments, in select camps and host communities across the BAY States. This Day