REGIONAL HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT
The Boko Haram induced crisis has led to massive population displacements in Nigeria and neighboring countries around the Lake Chad area (Chad, Niger and Cameroon), and is now turning into one of the largest humanitarian crisis to occur in the region. Since 2014, there has been an upsurge in acts of violence in Nigeria, targeting primarily the civilian population while devastating local communities.
More recently, attacks have also been carried out in the neighboring countries, on the Nigerien, Cameroonian and Chadian side of Nigeria’s northeastern borders. Boko Haram’s escalating violence has caused both internal displacement and cross border population movements leading to dramatic humanitarian consequences and widespread suffering. According to UNHCR, there are about 1.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria and over 230,000 people who have sought refuge in neighboring countries, exacerbating an already precarious situation by creating shortages of food and increasing the risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases such as cholera. Protection, food, shelter, health, nutrition and water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) needs remain largely unmet in the affected areas and these needs are expected to considerably rise during the looming lean season. Moreover, as the insecurity lingers, humanitarian organizations are facing great difficulties accessing to affected population but also to adequately assess the extent of the needs in the remote areas.