There are now over 2.0 million IDPs in the northeast, leading to increased food assistance needs

Households impacted by the persisting Boko Haram conflict who remain in garrison towns and major urban areas in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states continue to depend on limited humanitarian assistance and markets for food. They have restricted income opportunities and are facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and Crisis (IPC Phase 3) food security outcomes. Populations in areas that are difficult to access by humanitarian actors are likely facing similar or worse food security outcomes relative to adjoining accessible areas.

The most recent IOM displacement tracking matrix covering July 1 to 16 indicates an increased IDP population from 1,980,036 in May 2019 to 2,018,513 in July across the six northeast states. Similarly, in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, the area worst affected by the insurgency, the IDP population increased from 1.79 million in May to 1.82 million in July. Borno state, which is the worst affected by the conflict recorded over 1.48 million IDPs in July 2019.

Conflict related to banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling persists in the northwest and central states limiting livelihood activities. A report by UNHCR and the Nigerian government in August revealed that over 200,000 people have been displaced across Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina states in the northwest with several refugees now located in the Maradi region of Niger. IDPs are mainly relying on their limited own production, community assistance, and markets for food. Consequently, these vulnerable populations in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states are experiencing Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes.

Stable or declining staple food prices and the impending main harvest, coupled with the harvest of early maturing crops such as maize, millet, rice and yams, are allowing more poor households to have normal access to food. Livestock/cereal terms of trade favor pastoralists who now also have normal access to food. Wild foods and petty trading are providing additional access to food and income. Consequently, most households outside conflict prone areas are facing Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes.