The European Union (EU) has committed over N900 million (€500,000) in emergency humanitarian assistance to combat the escalating malnutrition crisis in northeastern and northwestern Nigeria.
The funds will support lifesaving interventions for children and mothers suffering from severe acute malnutrition, as the region grapples with worsening food insecurity fueled by conflict, displacement, and climate-related shocks.
The emergency aid, which will be channeled through the Nigeria Red Cross Society, is expected to benefit around 170,000 households across nine states: Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
The intervention’s key focus will be treating more than 30,000 children in urgent need of care.
According to the EU, the Red Cross will implement a multi-pronged approach combining community outreach, screening, and outpatient care for uncomplicated cases using ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF).
By Nigeria’s national health protocols, more complex cases will be referred to health centres for specialist care.
‘The initiative will also strengthen long-term community resilience, with integrated support in water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), and protection services to address the root causes of malnutrition and improve families’ ability to cope with future shocks, it said.
According to the EU and humanitarian agencies, over 5.44 million children under five are acutely malnourished in the Northeast and Northwest regions.
“Of these, 2 million children are projected to require urgent treatment for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) between June and September 2025, the traditional lean season when food is scarce and prices soar.
“Malnutrition in Nigeria is not just a health issue, it’s a humanitarian emergency. This funding reflects our continued commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and ensuring that no child dies from hunger when there are proven and effective solutions available”, the EU said.
The latest intervention is part of the EU’s contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The DREF allows for rapid deployment of funds in response to small- and medium-scale emergencies without needing a formal international appeal.
The European Commission has also signed a €12 million delegation agreement with the IFRC to replenish DREF operations across multiple countries, including Nigeria.
The EU noted that this mechanism ensures that local Red Cross societies can respond swiftly to crises like malnutrition, floods, or displacement without delays.
Humanitarian experts warn that the current nutrition crisis in northern Nigeria is being exacerbated by multiple, overlapping factors.
‘Ongoing armed conflict, especially in the Northeast, continues to displace communities, destroy livelihoods, and hinder access to basic services. Insecurity in rural areas has forced thousands to flee their farms, reducing food production and availability.
“Additionally, economic challenges such as inflation and currency depreciation have driven up the cost of food and healthcare. Climate shocks, including flooding and erratic rainfall, have further undermined food security and limited access to clean water.
“Poor maternal and child feeding practices, limited access to essential nutrition services, and overstretched health facilities have deepened the crisis”, they said.
The European Union, along with its member states, remains one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid worldwide.
Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), the EU said that it provides critical assistance to victims of conflicts and natural disasters, with a strong focus on preserving human dignity and responding based on needs.
