Aid Cuts in Nigeria Increase Risk of Boko Haram Recruitment UN Warns

Edited by: Fatima Babadin

As international support for humanitarian efforts in north-eastern Nigeria declines, large segments of the displaced population face increasing risks related to hunger and security. The reduction in funding has led the World Food Programme to halt its regular distributions, leaving many communities that have endured years of conflict and displacement exposed to deeper hardship.

Across the region, families remain dependent on humanitarian aid to meet their basic needs, but the drop in resources has coincided with a marked rise in malnutrition. Medical facilities report a surge in severe cases, and several donor-funded clinics are at risk of closure. Health organizations have noted that reductions in international assistance from major partners such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have further compounded the crisis, resulting in thousands of children facing critical conditions.

These developments have raised concerns among aid agencies and local authorities that militant groups may exploit the growing vulnerabilities to attract new recruits. While the Nigerian government has recently acknowledged the challenge and introduced new initiatives, many communities continue to wait for effective solutions amid ongoing uncertainty.