Message by Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Matthias Schmale on the launch of the 2023 north-east Nigeria Humanitarian Response Plan

At least 6 million Nigerians affected by the extremist insurgency in northeastern Nigeria need $1.3 billion in aid this year, according to the U.N. office in Nigeria.

The 2023 U.N. humanitarian response plan launched on Thursday noted the need for “critical life-saving assistance” as a result of more than 12 years of extremist violence that has killed an estimated 35,000 people and displaced at least 2 million in the region.

“An estimated 2.4 million people are in acute need and require urgent support,” said Matthias Schmale, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Nigeria. “The large-scale humanitarian and protection crisis shows no sign of abating.” Over 80% of those in need in northeastern Nigeria are women and children, according to the U.N.