Nigeria ‘will experience’ severe humanitarian crisis in 2018

ACAPS, a Geneva-based research institute, says Nigeria will in 2018 experience “severe humanitarian crisis” due to violence, hunger and other factors.

According to a report released by the organisation, food security, displacement, health, and protection are expected to be Nigeria’s priority concerns in 2018.

Statistics provided showed that 5.2 million people are estimated as severely food insecure; 6.1 million people are in need of protection assistance in 2017, up from 5.45 million in 2016; 3.9 million people are in need of safe water in 2017, up from 3.6 million in 2016; and 3.4  million people are in need of nutrition assistance in 2017

The report said that Islamic extremism, specifically in Nigeria’s north-east, will restrict humanitarian access and worsen food insecurity and healthcare.

It also said key infrastructure such as health, education, and livelihood facilities will likely remain damaged due to the ongoing conflict.

Lars Nissen, director at ACAPS, said the report focused on countries where the crisis may not necessarily worsen but will remain severe.

“If 2017 did not look good, predictions for 2018 are no better,” he said. “Food insecurity is likely to deteriorate into 2018 in northeast Nigeria.”