Insurgent attacks persist in northeast Nigeria increasing humanitarian needs

According to the recent IOM-DTM assessment, a high percentage of IDPs in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe are living with host communities with limited livelihoods activities. Consequently, these households are facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes. Populations in hard to reach areas are likely facing similar or worse food security situation relative to adjoining accessible areas.

The IOM-DTM assessment have revealed an increased IDP population from 1.7 million people since December 2017 to 2.03 million people in October 2018 and four percent decline in January 2019 relative to October 2018 across Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe states. Similarly, ETT-IOM report covering 4 – 10 March 2019, revealed a total of 2,102 population movements, including 1,713 arrivals and 371 departures. Most new arrivals are in Borno state.

Communal and farmer/herder conflict and armed banditry exacerbated by the general election is persisting in Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Benue and Niger states. Similar occurrence is recorded in Katsina, Zamafara and Sokoto states. Market activities, access to pastoral resources and dry season harvest remain restricted in affected areas. Population displacement, kidnapping and fatalities are escalating and population in affected areas Katsina and Zamfara will remain Stressed (IPC Phase 2) at least through September 2019. 

Dry season harvest, land preparation and cassava harvest are currently underway normally across the country reducing trader speculations and increasing household stocks and income opportunities. Similarly, staple cereal prices remain stable in most markets and declining or slightly increasing in other markets across the country. However, with favorable cash crops and livestock prices, most households outside conflict prone areas are experiencing Minimal (IPC Phase 1) food security outcomes.