What's happened
The UN WFP projects 35 million Nigerians will face severe hunger by 2026, the highest since monitoring began. Borno state will experience famine-like conditions, amid ongoing violence and aid cuts, worsening the crisis for rural communities and children.
What's behind the headline?
The worsening hunger crisis in Nigeria is driven by a combination of escalating insurgent violence and international aid reductions. The UN's projection of 35 million facing severe hunger underscores a decade-high emergency. Rural farming communities are hardest hit, with insurgent attacks disrupting food production and access. The classification of Borno as Phase 5 indicates famine-like conditions, comparable to Gaza and Sudan. The recent spike in kidnappings and violence exacerbates instability, further hindering aid delivery. The aid cuts, especially from the U.S., threaten to leave millions without support by December, risking a humanitarian catastrophe. This crisis reveals how intertwined security and food security are in Nigeria, and the urgent need for sustained international intervention to prevent further deterioration.
What the papers say
The articles from AP News, The Independent, Al Jazeera, and Reuters collectively highlight the severity of Nigeria's food insecurity, emphasizing the record-high projections, ongoing violence, and aid reductions. AP News and The Independent detail the specific numbers and classifications, while Al Jazeera provides regional context and the impact on children. Reuters underscores the escalation of insurgent attacks and the broader regional implications. Despite slight differences in emphasis, all sources agree that Nigeria faces an unprecedented hunger crisis driven by conflict and aid cuts, with potential for worsening if immediate action is not taken.
How we got here
Nigeria's hunger crisis has deepened over recent years due to insurgent violence, economic instability, and reduced international aid. The rise of armed groups like Boko Haram and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin has displaced communities and deterred farming. U.S. aid cuts under President Trump have further strained relief efforts, leaving millions vulnerable to starvation.
Go deeper
Common question
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What is causing Nigeria's record hunger crisis?
Nigeria is facing an unprecedented hunger crisis, with projections indicating that 35 million people could suffer severe food shortages by 2026. This alarming situation is driven by a combination of ongoing conflict, economic instability, and aid reductions. Many wonder what factors are fueling this crisis and what can be done to address it. Below, we explore the main causes and the efforts underway to combat hunger in Nigeria.
More on these topics
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The World Food Programme is the food-assistance branch of the United Nations and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security.
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Borno is a state in the North-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It is bordered by Yobe to the west, Gombe to the southwest, and Adamawa to the south while its eastern border forms part of the national border with Cameroon. Its northern border forms part.
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Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a sovereign country located in West Africa bordering Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west.