Nigeria crisis
When their town was attacked by insurgents, these women fled through the bush.
Terrified, they headed west and eventually made it across the Cameroonian border. But not all of their group made it. Many were swept away by dangerous rivers or killed by harsh conditions en route.
Photo: ©UNHCR/Xavier Bourgois
These women are amongst over 2 million displaced Nigerians who are struggling to survive after being forced from their homes. Please support them with life-saving aid today.
Shelter
for families who’ve fled with nothing.
Essential supplies
like mattresses, blankets and kitchenware.
Protection
especially of children, women and the elderly.
What’s happening in Nigeria?
Violent insurgents in northeastern Nigeria have displaced nearly 2.4 million people and driven many over the border into neighbouring countries. Those who remain risk grave violations of human rights, widespread sexual violence and suicide bombings.
UNHCR is working hard to protect and shelter displaced families, provide them with life-saving aid and help them recover from what they’ve been through.
How long has the Nigerian crisis been going on?
The Boko Haram insurgency began here in 2013. In 2014, violent attacks started to spill over Nigeria’s borders into Cameroon, Chad and Niger – drawing them into this devastating regional conflict.
Where are Nigerian families fleeing to?
Many families crossed the border into Cameroon, Chad or Niger, resulting in more than 340,000 Nigerian refugees across the region – as well as 2.2 million displaced people inside Nigeria.
What other problems are Nigerian families facing?
Families are battling hunger and malnutrition, since the conflict has resulted in widespread food insecurity. Despite all the efforts of governments and humanitarian aid, millions of people are still going hungry in the Lake Chad Basin region.
Where is UNHCR working?
UNHCR is helping displaced families in Nigeria – as well as working in neighboring Niger, Cameroon and Chad to improve protection, help refugees claim asylum and ensure they’re not forced to return home against their will.
Where can I access the latest data and reports?
Nigeria Operations – for latest on UNHCR’s relief work to protect displaced people inside Nigeria.
Nigeria Situation Portal – for latest updates on the crisis overall, including UNHCR situation reports, funding requirements and UNHCR’s support for neighbouring countries taking in refugees from Nigeria.
Did you know we’re providing vital psycho-social support to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the region?
Ayo is one of 56,000 refugees camped out in the Minawao region of Cameroon.
She’s far from home, but glad to be alive. And UNHCR is providing the essential supplies she needs to stay safe and well.
With the help of women like Ayo, we’re also minimising the impact of refugees on the local environment – replanting thousands of trees and helping families make fuel briquettes for cooking, so they don’t use forests for firewood.
Photo: ©UNHCR/Xavier Bourgois
Ayo is one of 56,000 refugees camped out in the Minawao region of Cameroon.
She’s far from home, but glad to be alive. And UNHCR is providing the essential supplies she needs to stay safe and well.
With the help of women like Ayo, we’re also minimising the impact of refugees on the local environment – replanting thousands of trees and helping families make fuel briquettes for cooking, so they aren’t forced todon’t destroyuse forests for firewood.
Photo: ©UNHCR/Xavier Bourgois