By The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, has announced that the 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) will focus on Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, with an estimated cost of US$516 million to deliver life-saving assistance.
Fall disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the official launch of the 2026 HNRP. He explained that the plan aims to reach 2.5 million people, a reduction from 3.6 million beneficiaries in 2025, reflecting a sharper focus on the most critical life-saving interventions amid an anticipated decline in available funding next year.
“While the HNRP remains concentrated on the North-East, the UN is exploring alternative response models for the North-West and other parts of the country.” He stated.
These models, he said, are anchored on a humanitarian–development–peace nexus, drawing lessons from years of intervention in the North-East.
Fall expressed deep concern over the scale of humanitarian challenges nationwide, noting that extreme needs and protection risks persist across Nigeria.
He warned that nearly 35 million people could face food insecurity during the upcoming lean season, while about three million children are at risk of life-threatening severe acute malnutrition.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard M. Doro, said the 2026 HNRP reflects a collective resolve to transition from repeated emergency responses to prevention, resilience, recovery and sustainable solutions.
He added that the plan aligns with national priorities and development objectives, and is consistent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at addressing humanitarian challenges while promoting long-term stability and self-reliance.
