Emergency relief and response

Background, On December 24th, 2023, many people, including several children and women, were mercilessly hacked to death in what is unfolding as a conflict between farmers and herders. According to the latest figures by the government, over 200,000 people are affected; 331 people have been killed, including children, and 153 have been injured. Of this number,…, Day 1: An Emotional Journey Begins, Under the sombre skies of an early morning, I found myself setting out from Abuja to Jos, the capital of Plateau State in northern Nigeria. The journey was a mixture of trepidation and resolve, fueled by the unsettling reports of hundreds killed and hundreds of thousands displaced in a horrific incident that had gripped the region. Accompanied by…, Day 2: Uniting for a Cause, The chilly morning of January 10th saw us convene a critical coordination meeting. Jos's 12-degree weather seemed unusual for Nigeria, and I noted the improved roads, a small beacon of development amidst the chaos. The meeting with Margaret, the UNICEF health specialist, and government representatives was sobering. The stark figures of casualties…, Day 3: Confronting the Stark Reality , Accompanied by Margaret and teams from WHO and national and state emergency management agencies, we embarked on a field visit that would deeply impact me. Our first stop was at COCIN Church in Barkin Ladi, witnessing the government's aid distribution. It became painfully apparent that the needs far exceeded the help being provided. The visit to…, Day 4: Reflections and Resolve , The return journey to Abuja was a time of introspection and profound dialogue with Rajat, the Chief of Communication. He encouraged me to document and share this experience to bring the human side of this crisis to light. As we passed the picturesque hills of the Plateau, a place I once knew as a haven of peace and tourism, the stark contrast to…, UNICEF in Action, UNICEF is providing support to displaced families through the government, specifically in the areas of health and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene). This support includes health care kits, vaccination items, and delivery kits for medical needs. In terms of WASH, UNICEF is focusing on ensuring access to safe water and promoting hygiene.…

Since the flood came weeks ago, we have not been able to train; I miss training. My dream is to become a footballer and play in big leagues so that I can help my community Adiel Nammi, 15 Adiel lives in Bwarranji, a sloppy community in Adamawa state, where most residents are low-income earners, who subsisted on fishing. Every day, young people in…

Fear, worry, and anxiety—these are some of the emotions felt by residents of several communities in Kaduna, especially during the rainy season.  Many Kaduna communities are prone to flooding, and residents have also dealt with its devastating consequences in recent years.  The Oyedokuns' home in Gbadamosi Street, Dorino in Kabala West, Kaduna…

At the beginning of 2022, an estimated 12.8 million people, including 8.1 million children and 4.7 million adults, were affected by conflict in North-East and Northwest Nigeria. Of these, over 2.3 million people were displaced, while 1 million were living in inaccessible areas. The alarming levels of food insecurity and malnutrition were due to…

Nigeria experiences heavy rains across all States each year resulting in overflowing rivers and dams. Flooding ranks as the highest environmental disaster in the country causing significant destruction of property and loss of lives. Riverine floods rank highest especially in states bordering the Niger and Benue Rivers, with urban floods being…

Thousands of families were displaced, with many losing their homes and livelihoods when floods hit Anambra State in 2022. Forty-six year old Cerena Igwe and her family were one of them. A resident of Ogbaru local government area, Igwe spoke of her family's struggles, saying, “our house was submerged and when the flood receded, we discovered that…

Every year, when the skies darken and the rains come, Zulaihat Suleiman's heart sinks. The floods always come with the rain, entering from the back of her compound and paralyzing their everyday activities. With ten children to feed and educate, she cannot afford to lose even a day's income. So, she packs up her little ones and a few valuables and…

The devastating flood that hit Bayelsa State in 2022 left a trail of destruction, and over a million people were displaced. The catastrophe destroyed homes, farmlands, fishing ponds, schools, markets, and hospitals. Many lives were lost, and communities were left without access to food, shelter, social support, and healthcare. The flood severely…, Distribution of essential medical supplies by UNICEF through SIDA funds at the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, UNICEF/Tobesime Distribution of essential medical supplies by UNICEF through SIDA funds at the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health Distribution of essential medical supplies by UNICEF through SIDA funds at the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, Distribution of essential medical supplies by UNICEF through the CERF and SIDA funds at the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, UNICEF/Tobesime Distribution of essential medical supplies by UNICEF through SIDA funds at the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health Distribution of essential medical supplies by UNICEF through SIDA funds at the Bayelsa State Ministry of Health In the face of such a dire situation, the State government and its partners took steps to provide aid to the…

Water infrastructure, sanitation facilities, and public health facilities have been damaged as a result of heavy rains and river overflows, raising the danger of waterborne illnesses like cholera, diarrhea, and malaria as well as the likelihood of an epidemic and an increase in childhood killer diseases. Children living in improvised camps for…

Sagbama, Bayelsa State— Devastating floods are wreaking havoc in several communities in Bayelsa State, southern Nigeria, and women and children are most at risk as emergency response has been slow. The floods have caused severe destruction of homes, roads, schools, healthcare institutions, and other essential infrastructure, leading to a…

The Government of Nigeria, supported by UNICEF, has recently released a risk analysis for Nigeria, covering the entire country.  The first of its kind, covering all six geo-political zones of Nigeria, the Nigeria sub-national risk analysis covers 12 different risks at the level of Local Government Areas (LGA), including floods, epidemics, and…

The Challenge, The protracted conflict in north-eastern Nigeria continues to devastate the lives of civilians, resulting in a humanitarian crisis affecting 7.7 million women, men and children who are all in acute need of help and protection. Since the start of the conflict in 2009, more than 20,000 people have been killed, more than 4,000 people abducted and 1.7…, Resources, Solution, Confronted with a volatile security situation, UNICEF Nigeria is supporting the achievement of the following:  A child being screened for malnutrition Treatment of severe acute malnourished (SAM) children via therapeutic programmes, provision of multi-micronutrient supplements and counselling for caregivers on appropriate infant feeding.   A…