In May 2025, Nigeria faced a deepening humanitarian crisis driven by escalating insecurity in the northeast and flash floods in Niger State. The floods in Mokwa alone displaced over 3,000 people and caused more than 200 deaths, severely disrupting access to essential services, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) support. In Borno and Yobe States, deteriorating security conditions heightened the risks faced by women and girls, limiting their access to health, protection, and livelihood services while increasing exposure to violence and psychological trauma.
In response, UNFPA mobilized rapid interventions across affected areas. In Mokwa, crisis teams deployed midwives, GBV case workers, and mobile clinics to deliver SRH and GBV services. Two women and girls’ safe spaces were established, psychosocial support was provided to over 300 individuals, and 1,000 dignity kits were distributed. Across the BAY states (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe), UNFPA and partners reached over 13,000 people with GBV prevention and response services and provided vocational training to 985 women and girls. Awareness activities reached nearly 10,000 community members, while efforts to strengthen referral systems, capacity building, and coordination mechanisms continued, including the introduction of a Cash and Voucher Assistance scheme to support service uptake.
Despite these efforts, the humanitarian response in Nigeria remains critically underfunded. Of the $15.1 million needed by UNFPA in 2025 to deliver essential SRH and GBV services, only $1 million has been received — just 6.6 per cent of the total requirement. This 93.4 per cent funding gap poses a serious threat to ongoing operations and puts the lives and well-being of thousands of women and girls at risk in one of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises.
