A nurse helping a malnourished child in Nigeria
CAFOD has supported programmes in Nigeria since the 1960s. We work closely with local partners to fight inequality, build peace and provide practical help in emergencies.
Why CAFOD works in Nigeria
In Nigeria, CAFOD and partners are working in fragile communities where long-term weak governance structures, policies, practices and community leadership result in the marginalisation of women, girls and other vulnerable groups, youth restiveness, environmental degradation and the inability of people to cope with natural and man-made disasters.
The problem has been exacerbated by social and economic imbalance, breakdown of law and order, uncoordinated development, regional instability, and an increase in violent extremism and terrorism. Women, girls, young people, and the poorest and most vulnerable are directly affected by these problems.
Why is there a food crisis in north-east Nigeria?
For over 13 years, the north-eastern states of Nigeria have been affected by armed conflict and violence caused by extremists and bandits in communities. This conflict is rooted in competition over scarce resources, which has escalated to the central and north-western parts of Nigeria.
The persistent and growing strength of violent terrorist groups in the Sahel threaten to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and spread instability across the region, destroying livelihoods and infrastructure.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that people who make it out of insurgent-controlled areas are malnourished, and that the insecurity has led to a decline in farming, food production and market trading, leaving households destitute.
As a result of climate change, Nigeria has been experiencing persistent flooding in different areas of the country which prevents farmers from growing food crops to support the ever-growing population of the country. This also leads to constant conflict between communities competing for scarce resources.
Our work in Nigeria
Your donations are helping us to:
provide emergency relief to families who have lost their livelihoods due to conflict, man-made or natural disasters
support women facing violence, drawing on our experience in empowering women and girls to challenge harmful traditional practices
work with faith leaders to help poor and disadvantaged people to have a voice within government and promote peaceful coexistence
help communities to plan for disasters and rebuild their lives after an emergency hits
engage communities, especially women and youths, in strengthening resilience in the face of climate change with adaptable agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.