Sub-regional Humanitarian Overview
Throughout North East Nigeria and across the border regions in Cameroon, Chad and Niger, children are in critical danger. Insecurity caused by the conflict between the armed group commonly known as ‘Boko Haram’, military forces and civilian self-defense groups in North East Nigeria has escalated into a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Around 1.4 million children have been displaced by conflict and violence representing nearly 60% of the displaced population (nearly 2.4 million). The slight decrease from the last update is due to fluid situation in Nigeria, where there has been a small decrease in number of IDPs (IOM DTM Oct 2015). In North East Nigeria alone, around 1.1 million children have left their homes. The number of children who have been uprooted in Cameroon, Chad and Niger is approximately 220,000 after their villages were attacked or threatened. Families have often been left with little else than the clothesthey were wearing.
Every day children across North East Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon are missing out on their childhood. They are at risk of being trapped in a cycle of violence - separated from their families, exposed to exploitation and recruited by armed groups. Many children have been killed, maimed and subjected to unimaginable atrocities. Young women and girls have been abducted, subjected to forced marriage, physical and psychological abuse, forced labor and rape.
The humanitarian situation continues to be worrisome with worsening food insecurity combined with limited access to education, safe drinking water, child protection and health services. In the most affected areas, health centers have been damaged or destroyed. Many health workers have fled while others are not able to access those in need, leaving many families without health services, such as routine immunization, maternal and child care. Children are at risk of dying from diarrhea, malaria or malnutrition.
Across the four countries, more than 1,100 schools are closed or facing major disruption of services due to the conflict. Teachers and students have been deliberately targeted; many classrooms have been damaged, looted or occupied.
Since the beginning of this year, there has been a sharp increase in both the frequency and intensity of bombings in North East Nigeria and more recently in Chad (lake region), Niger (Diffa), and Cameroon.
Women and girls are involved in approximately three-quarters of the attacks. Children do not instigate the bombings; they are used, often without knowing, to carry bombs that were strapped to their bodies and detonated remotely in public places.