Nigeria has been affected by violence from Islamist groups in the north-east and criminal gangs in the north-west for years. Millions of people fled the violence, have been displaced and lost contact with their families. In addition, the economic situation in the country continues to worsen. Inflation, Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine have let to inflated prices, including for basic foodstuffs.

These factors, together with climate change, have caused food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly in north-east Nigeria. According to UN statistics, around 7.9 million people need humanitarian aid, more than two thirds of whom are children. At the same time, the situation in the refugee camps in the region around Lake Chad has deteriorated further.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provides important humanitarian aid in conflict regions. The ICRC conducts a dialogue with the conflicting parties, is committed to ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law, participates in the search for missing persons and facilitates family reunifications and prisoner visits. In addition, the ICRC supports the population with food parcels and cash aid. Liechtenstein is making an important contribution to one of the ICRC's most underfunded programmes to alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian population.