Nigeria’s humanitarian situation deteriorates – UNFPA
The humanitarian situation in Nigeria deteriorated in September, the United Nations Population Fund alerted in its latest situation report released on Wednesday.
The UNFPA informed that severe flooding across 30 states and the capital, Abuja, affected over 340,000 people, displaced more than 100,000 and cause 300+ deaths.
The increased violence in Bama and Banki, Borno State, has also pushed the humanitarian crisis to deteriorate significantly and heightened insecurity, endangering women and girls, the most vulnerable.
The UN sexual and reproductive health agency laments how the situation is undermining sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence outcomes, triggering challenges like overcrowded reception centres.
Others are personnel withdrawals and rising risks of GBV, such as sexual violence. “Overall, 7.8 million people are affected, including an estimated 1.95 million women of reproductive age and 347,770 pregnant women,” the report reads.
The UNFPA said it is actively working to reach 375,880 people with SRH services and 281,000 with GBV programming, while continuing lifesaving assistance and operations.
Nearly 13,000 people have received SRH services — antenatal, delivery, postnatal, STI treatment, and HIV testing; 5,311 women and girls accessed GBV services — referrals, legal/security support, and temporary shelter.
The report further confirmed that 21,620 people were reached with GBV prevention and response information; 65 health facilities and 38 women- and girl-safe spaces were supported.
More than 12,000 young people have been engaged with skills initiatives often linked to GBV facilities, while about 315,000 people had received preparedness messaging and multipurpose cash assistance.
Noting that the UNFPA requires $15.7 million in 2025 for critical SRH and GBV services in Nigeria, the global agency said as of September, only $2.3 million has been received.
“Without urgent funding, continuity of SRH care, GBV case management, safe spaces, prepositioning, and facility support will be curtailed just as needs escalate due to flooding, displacement and service disruptions,” the report added.