NIGERIA Humanitarian Situation

Report No. 1

Reporting Period: 1 January to 31 March 2021

Highlights Situation in Numbers Increased attacks by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) on military super camps 5.1 million in the north-east increased in Q1 of 2021. Q1 recorded the highest number of children in need of humanitarian assistance attacks by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including on (Nigeria HNO 2021, north- humanitarian assets and personnel contributing to displacement, increased east) needs, reduced access in an already shrinking humanitarian space. Against the backdrop of escalating conflict, the figures from the March Cadre Harmonisé 8.7 million (CH) and the Integrated Phase Classification for Acute Malnutrition (IPC-AM) people in need are projecting acute food insecurity and malnutrition rates akin to those in (Nigeria HNO 2021, north-

east) 2016-2017. There is an urgent need to address critical gaps in funding to meet acute needs and to adapt to the uncertain security climate. 1.92 million

(IDPs) North-east (IOM In the north-west the situation remains precarious with continued armed DTM Round XXXV, Dec group attacks on communities and schools. These attacks have caused 2020) multiple displacements, eroding coping mechanisms, and have overwhelmed States basic public services. UNICEF is leading a north-west 279,152 (IDPs) North-west coordination group with agencies responding or having interest to respond (IOM DTM Round V, to share information, reduce duplication and do no harm. January 2021)

UNICEF’s Response and Funding Status UNICEF Appeal 2021 US$ 179 million

*Funding available includes funds received in the current year; funds carried-forward intended to be spent in 2021; repurposed funds with agreement from donors. 1

Funding Overview and Partnerships In 2021, UNICEF is requesting US$ 179 million to reach 3.8 million people, including 2.3 million children in some of the most challenging locations across Nigeria. In 2021, contributions have been received from the Governments of Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Sweden, United States, and the United Kingdom as well as the National Committee of UNICEF (NatCom). Funds currently available amount to US$ 59.9 million including a US$ 32.9 million carry-forward from 2020 (these are funds meant to be spent in 2021). The funding gap remains at 68% and this shortage in funding is hindering UNICEF’s ability to deliver an integrated package of WASH, nutrition, education, child protection and health services for the survival and development of vulnerable children.

Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs

North-east Humanitarian needs remain high in north-east Nigeria where 8.7 million people, 58 percent children, require urgent assistance in 2021. Of the 1.92 million people displaced, Borno State hosts 81 percent of internally displaced people (IDP), of whom slightly more than half (54 percent) live in IDP camps. Since the beginning of Q1, NSAGs have increased their attacks on super-camps and military bases resulting in the highest number of attacks in a quarter by ISWAP since recording began. These increased attacks have reduced access and hindered the ability of humanitarians to provide services. The most significant attack by NSAGs in Dikwa town, forced the relocation of humanitarians and disrupted humanitarian services. The insecurity has delayed the rehabilitation of water systems, delivering essential WASH non-food items (NFIs) and chlorine for water purification and disinfection. Critical activities, including nutrition services, latrine rehabilitation, desludging and hygiene promotion, have been taken up by community volunteers and hygiene promotion teams, remotely supported by technical teams. The long-term effect of insecurity may compromise the quality and level of services if technical supervision and oversight is not able to be provided.

In Q1, 33,146 population movements were recorded with 25,325 registered as new arrivals, marking an increase from Q1 in 2020. Conflict was indicated as the most common trigger (45 per cent) for movement, in addition to voluntary relocation and poor living conditions. In February 2021, the Borno State Government announced the voluntary return of 5,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon commencing in line with the tri-patriate agreement signed in 2017. Since then roughly 2400 refugees have returned to Bama local government area (LGA), including Banki IDP Camp. Refugee returns are a source of concern for humanitarian agencies as locations are marred by insecurity, movement restrictions, little access to basic services, land rights and low presence of government institutions.

Increased insecurity, reduced access and movement which continued to affect communities’ livelihoods, including the ability to farm, which will have a severe impact on food security. An estimated 5.1 million people risk being critically food insecure during the next lean season (June - August 2021), the highest figures since 2016-2017.1 The nutritional situation is also expected to deteriorate further due to worsening underlying issues, including new displacement, poor access to WASH and health services and the impact of COVID-19 on the socio-economic status of households. The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened humanitarian needs. The restriction measures in 2020 to curb the spread of the virus has affected livelihoods including loss of income and purchasing power, with acute effects on the already-vulnerable and food-insecure communities. Despite accounting for only 1.6 percent of all confirmed cases in Nigeria, the north-east states account for 3.9 percent of the national mortality rates.

North-west2 The security situation in north-west continues to deteriorate despite ongoing government efforts. Over the last three months, there has been a significant increase in number and frequency of violent attacks and abductions in the entire north-west region. Against the backdrop of abductions in educational institutions, in January 2021, 279,152 IDPs have been

1 https://fscluster.org/nigeria/documents?f%5B0%5D=field_core_themes%3A225 2 North-west Nigeria under the UNICEF HAC comprises of Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States 2 recorded, a marked increase since August 2020 where only 196,826 were registered. These figures do not include households who are spontaneously displaced for short periods of time, thus potentially undercutting the extent of the crisis. This trend of worsening insecurity and displacements coupled with lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused a deteriorating humanitarian situation for an increasing number of people in Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara states, mainly in rural settings. Rural households have reported reduced access to farmlands thus affecting harvest, livelihoods, and food security.

Since December 2020, UNICEF has hosted a monthly coordination meeting with development and humanitarian actors including those currently working in the north-west and those interested to respond. These monthly meetings include over 20 agencies, both UN and INGOs, and aim to increase information sharing, develop appropriate response strategies, and reduce duplication. However, with very few interventions ongoing and low presence of humanitarian actors on the ground, the situation in the north-west could deteriorate further.

Summary Analysis of Programme Response Health A total of 426,989 persons were reached with integrated primary health care (PHC) services in UNICEF-supported health facilities in the IDP camps and host communities in the three north-eastern States. A total of 187,242 consultations were conducted by UNICEF and partners, with malaria being the major cause of morbidity (57,938), followed by acute respiratory infection (45,022), acute watery diarrhoea (18,237), measles (1,016) and other medical conditions (65,029).

A total of 207,300 prevention services were recorded during this reporting period. This includes: • 18,131 children (6 months-15 years) who were vaccinated against measles • 95,547 children and pregnant women who were reached with various other antigens • 26,977 children who received Vitamin A supplements • 18,412 people who received Albendazole tablets for deworming • 48,233 pregnant women who were reached with ante-natal care, and 6,144 pregnant women in Adamawa State who received mosquito nets • 7,030 safe deliveries • 21,532 women who received post-natal care.

Nutrition North-east Since January, 21,222 (6,016 girls and 5,124 boys) aged 6-59 months with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) were admitted for treatment3. Of this, 95.9 percent were cured, 3.1 percent were defaulters, 0.5 percent died, and 0.5 percent were non-responsive to treatment. For the prevention of malnutrition 74,013 pregnant women and caregivers of boys and girls aged 0-23 months benefitted from counselling on optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) through community-based mother-to-mother support groups and skilled counselling at the health facilities (HF). A two-day logistics and supply management training was conducted in March 2021 for 52 health workers in charge of hygiene facilities across the 17 LGAs of Yobe State. 28,302 girls and boys 6-23 months received micronutrient powder (MNP) for improving the quality of complementary food.

3 66% reporting rate to the Nutrition Sector by partners 3

In addition, programme monitoring was improved through the following activities: • In Borno state, a total of 481,517 caregivers (182,976 males and 298,541 females), were sensitized in the communities by community nutrition mobilisers (CNM) on COVID-19 prevention using information, education, and communication (IEC) materials (posters). This is an effort made to ensure caregivers adhere to COVID-19 infection, prevention, and control (IPC) protocols especially through the community activities such as the support groups meetings. • A total of 1,469,069 girls and boys aged 6-59 months (1,339,785 by CNMs and 129,284 by mothers using the mother mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) approach) were screened to identify and early detect acute malnutrition at household-level. Out of these children, 42,281 (2.9 percent) were identified with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), whilst 65,611 (4.5 percent) were identified with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM). Out of the 42,281 children identified with SAM, 21,222 were admitted to the outpatient therapeutic programme (OTP) and the remaining 21,059 were already enrolled in the programme. • On-the-job coaching and supportive supervision visits were conducted continuously to 470 OTP sites (150 monthly avg.), 37 stabilization centres (SCs) (12 monthly avg.), 334 IYCF corners (111 monthly avg.), 679 mother support groups (226 monthly avg.) and 2,224 CNMs (741 monthly avg.). • A total of 41,768 cartons of ready to use therapeutic food (RUTF) and 119,400 packets of MNPs were delivered to government and partner supported sites implementing nutrition services in Borno and Yobe states. • In January 2021, a total of 1,559 girls and boys aged 6-59 months were screened for malnutrition at UNICEF-supported reception centres in IDP camps across hard-to-reach areas of Bama, Dikwa, Konduga, Gwoza, Mobbar and Ngala LGAs of Borno state. Out of the 1,559 children, 51 (3.3 percent) were found with SAM, while 148 (9.5 percent) were found with MAM. A total of 622 (39.9 percent) were from other accessible LGAs, 361 (23.2 percent) came from neighbouring countries of Niger, Cameroon and Chad Republic while the remaining 576 (36.9 percent) were from inaccessible locations. All children with SAM were enrolled in the therapeutic feeding and treatment service delivery sites. • Two stakeholder engagement meetings were held from 8- 10 and 11 – 13 March 2021 on strengthening routine vitamin A and Iron Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation, respectively in Yobe. The meetings were both chaired by the Hon. Commissioner of Health, Yobe state and 48 stakeholders including Executive Secretary, Commissioners for health, education, women affairs, budget and economic planning, all LGA PHC Directors, partners, and Directors from the PHC board participated in the meeting.

North-west By end of 2020 and early 2021, UNICEF scaled up its nutrition response in Sokoto and Zamfara states to now include 50 emergency sites (25 in each state) in 25 LGAs (14 in Sokoto and 11 in Zamfara). From January, a total of 14,661 (7960 girls; 6,701 boys) SAM children 6-59 months, were admitted into UNICEF supported OTP sites for treatment of SAM. In March 2021 alone, a total of 380,557 children 6-59 months, were screened in the violence-affected communities of Sokoto and Zamfara states for acute malnutrition using MUAC. Of this number, 8,426 children were identified with MUAC less than 11.5cm (SAM), and 108,145 identified with MUAC between 11.5cm and less than 12.5cm (MAM). This indicates a proxy SAM and MAM rates at 2.2 percent and 28.4 percent respectively, making it well above emergency thresholds.4

In the same period, 6,223 (3,139 girls; 3,084 boys) SAM children 6-59 months, were admitted into 50 OTP emergency OTP sites in the two states, and 3,992 discharged as cured These figures demonstrate an increase in admissions in March and as the lean season approaches, there is risk of a critical malnutrition situation in the north-west. To combat increasing needs, activities supporting prevention of malnutrition continued during the reporting period, with 46,639 pregnant women and caregivers of children 0-23 months receiving counselling on proper behaviours and practices, including IYCF, for optimum maternal, infant, and young child nutrition.

4 Screenings were conducted by community nutrition mobilizers and must be interpreted with caution. SMART surveys are planned for Q2/Q3 for conflict affected LGAs. 4

Nutrition in emergency response was initiated in Katsina state within the reporting period and community management of acute malnutrition (CMAM)s programmes were initiated in eight conflict affected LGAs. A total of 16 resource persons were trained in a three-day training-of-trainers (TOT) on Integrated CMAM and IYCF. This TOT facilitated the training of 136 LGA health and nutrition workers and 240 CNM across the affected LGAs on screening, referral and follow up of SAM. A total of 1,978 RUTF cartons were delivered to the State for dissemination to high-risk LGAs. A one-day high-level engagement meeting with top state and LGA policymakers held early in March with the objective of securing State contribution for the procurement of routine drugs and payment of incentives to community workers. Katsina State Government approved a monthly allocation to each of the eight conflict-affected LGAs for procurement of essential drugs and payment of incentives.

WASH As part of the cholera preparedness and prevention strategy, UNICEF supported urban water boards of Maiduguri and Yola to mitigate the risk of cholera and sustained access to safe water to 2.1 million people, through the provision of water purification chemicals, including chlorine, lime and aluminium sulphate. Emergency water trucking of (60 m³) continue to be provided for 4,000 people in Pulka. UNICEF, through its partners, sustained operations, and maintenance of 114 boreholes (including bucket chlorination for 166,240, beneficiaries) in Jere, MMC, Kala/Balge and Gwoza (Pulka) LGAs. Batch chlorination for (394,953 beneficiaries) continued at 750 community water points in Jere and MMC.

Safe sanitation facilities were provided for 19,020 people (SPHERE 1:20) by constructing 859 emergency latrines in Muna Elbadawey camp in MMC LGA. 98,745 people living in eight high-risk cholera camps of Jere, MMC and Pulka benefited from operation and maintenance and disinfection of 2,078 latrines. As the provider of last resort, 89,850 people benefited from sustained desludging and cleaning of their latrines as per the sector’s standard. A total of 105,581 people were reached with key hygiene messages, while 36,934 people have provided WASH and dignity hygiene kits in Borno and Yobe States.

Child Protection As COVID-19 pandemic continues, forcibly displaced children need more support than ever. Despite all the various challenges, the child protection in emergency (CPIE) programme strived to ensure the continuity of delivery of lifesaving child protection services. The section along with its implementing partners reached a cumulative total of 142,489 beneficiaries (60,933 girls, 57,107 boys, 12,982 women, and 11,467 men) with critical child protection services through remote and regular programming.

The targeted population received relevant community based psychosocial support services (PSS), information on childcare and grave child rights violations, alternative care for unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), prevention and response to gender based violence and reintegration services for children released from armed groups. The breakdown includes 74,653 (33,553 girls, 31,876 boys, 1,360 youth girls, 1,414 youth boys, 3,467 women, 2,983 men) who accessed community based psychosocial support services, 24,997 (9631 girls, 8,828 boys, 3,079 women and 3,459 men) received information on child rights violation, 110 (49 girls, 61 boys) unaccompanied and separated children were reunified with their families, 1,095 (94 girls, 1001 boys) children without parental care provided with appropriate alternative care arrangements, 844 (393 girls, 451 boys) children formerly associated with armed groups and other vulnerable children were newly reintegrated with their families and communities, and 437 (340 girls, 97 boys) received prevention information to address gender-based violence (GBV) and were also supported to access medical, legal and material assistance. Also, 5

40,353 (16,873 girls, 14,793 boys, 5,076 women and 3,611 men) were able to access safe channels to report sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).

During the quarter, several capacity building activities were conducted for UNICEF staff, state facilitators, and partners to increase their capacity to provide quality services to children. A four-day training on GBV prevention, monitoring and reporting was held for 20 teachers (16 females, 4 males) who will serve as GBV focal points in schools. Also, 70 personnel including social workers (70 percent women) attached to interim care centre were trained on GBV prevention, monitoring and reporting. The staff included security guards and personnel, social workers, care takers, matrons, cooks, cleaners, and case workers. Also, a total of 83 (women 34, men 49) service providers of GBV/CP case workers were trained on prevention of SEA monitoring and reporting in Bama, Konduga and Monguno LGAs, Borno State.

In summary, the CPiE programmes reach against its targets for the quarter stands at 36 percent with PSS, 14 percent with information on child care and rights violations, 5 percent with reunification services, 30 percent reached with reintegration, 1 percent with GBV risks mitigation services, 9 percent accessed safe reporting channels and 23 percent received alternative care services. Strategies are being initiated to fast track low achieving indicators.

Education In the period of reporting, UNICEF along with its partners completed the construction of 77 temporary learning spaces (TLSs), 12 latrines/toilets blocks in 17 schools and provided 1,290 hygiene/dignity kits, 100 school mats, hand washing stations, and furniture for teachers/volunteers in 100 out-of-school learning centres (OOSLC) . These OOSLCs comprise of Integrated Quranic Education, Tsangaya and Islamiyya centres aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children in Bama, Gwoza, Jere, Konduga and Maiduguri Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno State and Damaturu, Gujba, Potiskum LGAs of Yobe State to benefit a total of 49,687 (26,816 girls and 22,871 boys) children and 647 (178 Females and 469 Males) Teachers / Volunteers.

UNICEF and partners improved access to education for an estimated 69,985 (36,754 girls and 33,231 boys) conflicted- affected children through the provision of teaching and learning materials, essential supplies, school supplies, and WASH items across LGAs in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. A total of 15,216 (7,679 girls and 7,537 boys) children benefited from the ongoing distribution of teaching and learning materials to 100 OOSLCs and three schools in Jere, Konduga, Maiduguri LGAs of Borno state and Yunusari LGA of Yobe State. A total of 59,835 (31,768 girls and 28,067 boys) children in OOSLCs and radio learning hubs/clubs benefited from the distribution of face masks, radios, mats, hand sanitizers, and soaps in Fufore, Gombi, Guyuk, Hong, Mubi North, Mubi South and Toungo LGAs of Adamawa State and Jere, Konduga and Maiduguri LGAs of Borno State.

Additionally, a total of 145 (59 females and 86 males) school-based management committees (SBMC) members were trained in PSS, COVID-19 mitigation, school improvement plans, school emergency preparedness response (SEPR), and disaster risk reduction in Yunusari, and Geidam LGAs of Yobe State.

Humanitarian Leadership, Coordination and Strategy The Child Protection sub-sector (CPSS) coordination team collaborated with the GBV sub-sector and the global team from the child and adolescent survivors Initiative (CASI) to review the CASI learning program in Nigeria application package. The CASI Learning Program in Nigeria seeks to improve the quality of and access to services for child and adolescent survivors of sexual violence in humanitarian settings by strengthening coordination and collaboration between CP and GBV actors. The CPSS also collaborated with the Education in Emergencies Working Group (EiEWG) to develop a term of reference to develop a strategy to identify minimum standards in Child Safeguarding and an associated survey (which will inform a workshop and a session at the EiEWG Borno monthly meetings). 6

Education in Emergencies (EiE) was prioritized in the development of an integrated response paper on the first Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF) allocation of 2021 including two other sectors: Protection and Nutrition. This integrated allocation aims to improve the area-based response initiatives in the north-east to reduce duplication and increase integration. To reinforce its commitment to the localization strategy, the Education Sector supported the identified consortium INGOs in its process to select National NGOs (NNGO) to become implementing partners under the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) project. More than twenty NNGO have been recommended for the selection process.

Human Interest Stories and External Media Between January and March 2021, UNICEF drew the attention of the world to issues affecting conflict-affected children in north-east Nigeria with multiple and impactful visibility tools. Five school children in the north-east participated and emerged top in Poems for Peace 2021, an international poetry competition. Videos of the finalists were shared on social media for publicity. UNICEF arranged three media appearances on various issues bordering of the humanitarian conflicts in north-east. UNICEF also sponsored another programme focused on challenges faced by out-of-school youths on the radio programme Humanitarian Talks, aired on Peace FM in Maiduguri. Interviews with international media houses – VICE News and Africa Arise – were facilitated during the period. UNICEF supported and provided social media visibility for International Women’s Day and International Adolescent Health Week.

Within the reporting period, 75 tweets, two press releases and six human interest stories on UNICEF social media platforms were published. A total of 35 media mentions were achieved, including on African Independent Television, Channels TV, Radio Nigeria, The Sun, Daily Trust, This Day, Punch and others.

A three-day virtual photography training was organised for 75 third-party facilitators attached to sections across the north- east. UNICEF provided human interest story support for the Consolidated Emergency Report and supported the launch of the 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP).

Next SitRep: June 2021

Who to contact for Peter Hawkins Rushnan Murtaza Gillian Walker further information: Representative Deputy Representative Emergency Manager UNICEF Nigeria UNICEF Nigeria UNICEF Nigeria Tel: +234 (0) 803 402 0870 Tel: +234 (0) 803 403 5273 Tel: +234 (0) 803 403 5235 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Annex A Summary of Programme Results (HAC 2021) UNICEF HAC SECTOR NE Total Sector 2021 Target Total Results 2021 Target Results NUTRITION

Number of children 6-59 months with Severe Acute Malnutrition admitted 419,371 71,014 295,288 56,353 to therapeutic care for specified period of time

Number of new caregivers of children 0-23 months with access to IYCF 553,768 109,726 541,304 63,087 counselling for appropriate feeding HEALTH Children 8,885 Number of children 6 months - 15 years vaccinated against measles 387,758 Adults 9,246

Children 251,996 Number of consultations for IDPs and affected host communities 3,920,725 Adults 174,993

WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE

Females 2,103 465,760 74,316 Number of people gain access to safe water (at least 15 litres per capita per 1,903,755 day) for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene Males 1,897 420,053 82,403

Number of people have sustained access to safe water for drinking, cooking Females 295,075 1,326,771 431,277 2,638,792 and personal hygiene Males 266,118 1,196,566 388,954 Number of people gain access to gender and disability-sensitive sanitation Females 10,001 608,215 164,507 712,400 facilities (@ a rate of 20 user/pit for latrines) Males 9,019 548,527 148,363 Number of people sustainably accessing clean, disinfected and desludged Females 50,924 608,215 109,086 589,891 latrines Males 45,926 548,527 98,381 Number of people exposed to key hygiene messages and/or provided with Females 74,935 1,281,801 455,675 1,761,670 WASH NFIs and/or cash for NFIs Males 67,581 1,156,010 410,957 CHILD PROTECTION Girls 33,553 Number of children, adolescents and caregivers reached with Boys 31,876 comprehensive psychosocial support services including life skills education 175,000 437,500 114,587 Women 4,827 and positive parenting Men 4,397 Girls 9,631 Number of children and community members benefit from information on Boys 8,828 250,000 375,000 37,408 childcare and child protection including on grave child rights violations Women 3,079 Men 3,459 Girls 49 Number of unaccompanied and separated children supported with Boys 61 reunification services, family-based care or appropriate alternative care 1,500 Women 393 (boys/girls Men 451 Girls 340 Number of children formerly associated with armed groups who have been Boys 3,200 97 4000 885 reintegrated with their families and communities with UNICEF support. Women Girls 16873 Number of targeted Women, girls and boys provided with risk mitigation, Boys 14793 36,500 prevention, or response interventions to address gender-based violence Women 5076 Men 3611 Number of children and adults that have access to a safe and accessible Girls 422,253 94 channel to report sexual exploitation and abuse Boys 1001

2021 Total Sector Total Results 2021 Target Target Results EDUCATION Number of children accessing formal or non-formal education, including 761,332 69,985 1,051,306 86,340 early learning Number of children receiving individual learning materials 761,332 15,216 1,051,306 18,903 Number of teachers trained on psychosocial support and positive 6,397 18,664 2,098 discipline RCCE Number of people reached on COVID-19 through messaging on 5,313,349 1,959,003 prevention and access to services Social protection and cash transfers Number of households reached with humanitarian cash transfers across 10,000 sectors

Annex B

Funding Status Funds available Funding gap

Sector Requirements Humanitarian resources $ % received in 2021

Health 16,481,753 10,235,670 6,224,460 38%

Nutrition 66,123,174 18,096,011 47,927,390 72%

WASH 48,483,524 10,952,043 37,233,875 77%

Child Protection 11,214,555 3,086,622 7,850,229 70%

Education 31,742,090 10,235,670 19,642,433 62% Communication for Development 2,167,859 - 2,167,859 100%

EPR 1,500,000 4,659,214 - 0%

Social Protection 1,500,000 - 1,500,000 100% TOTAL 179,212,955 57,265,230 122,546,246 68%