“This is no longer just a humanitarian crisis, it’s a growing threat to regional stability,” said WFP Country Director David Stevenson.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced it will shut half of its health clinics in northeast Nigeria this month due to a critical funding shortfall. The agency has received no new donations following a $130 million emergency appeal aimed at sustaining food and nutrition support through 2025 for 1.3 million people in the conflict-affected region.
“The immediate and most brutal effect will be on child nutrition,” said Chi Lael, WFP’s head of communications. The closure of over 150 clinics in Borno and Yobe states will cut off lifesaving treatment for 300,000 children under two years old.
Nigeria is grappling with a record food crisis, with nearly 31 million people facing acute hunger, especially in the northeast, where insurgency and displacement have exacerbated food insecurity. “This is no longer just a humanitarian crisis, it’s a growing threat to regional stability,” WFP Country Director David Stevenson warned.
Without sustained aid, millions may endure severe hunger, migrate, or risk exploitation by extremist groups. “When emergency assistance ends, many will migrate in search of food and shelter. Others will adopt negative coping mechanisms including potentially joining insurgent groups,” Stevenson added. The outlook is grim unless urgent funding arrives to prevent the collapse of critical humanitarian operations.