The European Union has announced the allocation of €500,000 (approximately N900 million) in humanitarian funding to address the growing malnutrition crisis in Nigeria’s northeastern and northwestern regions.
The package will support emergency interventions targeting children and mothers suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
According to a statement from EU on Friday, the funding will be implemented through the Nigeria Red Cross Society, which is expected to reach around 170,000 households in Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara states.
“In response to the alarming levels of malnutrition in northeastern Nigeria, the European Union is allocating €500,000 (over N900 million) in humanitarian aid to provide emergency assistance to children and mothers suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
“This funding will enable the Nigeria Red Cross Society to assist approximately 170,000 households affected by or at risk of malnutrition in the northern states of Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara,” EU stated in the statement.
Key components of the intervention include community outreach, screening, and outpatient care for children with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition.
The most critical cases will be referred to healthcare centres for specialised treatment, in line with national health guidelines.
The initiative will deliver lifesaving therapeutic food to “over 30.000 children in urgent need of treatment”, while also expanding the Red Cross’s ongoing health and nutrition services.
In addition to immediate nutritional aid, the programme aims to build the long-term resilience of affected families through improved water access, sanitation, hygiene, and protection services.
The funding forms part of the European Union’s broader support to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies through the Disaster Response Emergency Fund, which channels resources to respond rapidly to emergencies that do not trigger large-scale international appeals.
“In the Northeast (Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States) and Northwest (Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States) of Nigeria, an estimated 5.44 million children under five are acutely malnourished.
“Two million are projected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition requiring lifesaving treatment, especially during the peak of the lean season from June to September 2025,” the statement added.
The worsening nutrition crisis is attributed to ongoing conflict, insecurity, and displacement in the region, compounded by climate shocks such as flooding, economic pressures, and limited access to healthcare.
Inadequate maternal and child feeding practices also continue to contribute to the high rates of malnutrition.
The European Commission’s humanitarian aid department, which coordinates the EU’s global disaster response operations, emphasised that the funding reflects the Union’s commitment to addressing humanitarian needs in Nigeria and around the world.