The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is addressing the urgent and long-term needs of crisis-affected populations in Northeast Nigeria through its Humanitarian Assistance and Resilience Programme (HARP). This multi-year initiative provides life-saving humanitarian aid while supporting efforts to build resilience and promote local ownership of aid response. The programme is implemented in collaboration with United Nations agencies (UN agencies), International NGOs (INGOs), and National actors (NNGOs), with operations spanning the conflict-affected states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY).

HARP delivers a dual-focused response, meeting the immediate needs of vulnerable populations through the provision of food assistance, shelter, healthcare, and protection services, while also strengthening community capacity to withstand future shocks and rebuild livelihoods. In line with global best practices, the programme emphasizes gender equality, protection, and accountability to affected populations (AAP).

To enhance quality and transparency, FCDO commissioned Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) to independently verify program activities and ensure that its funded humanitarian assistance remains effective, inclusive, and responsive to local needs. As the operational lead of the consortium led TPM team, Fact Foundation was tasked with the on-site monitoring of the implementation of interventions delivered by key FCDO HARP partners, UNICEF, World Food Programme (WFP), and CARE International (CARE).

By centering its efforts on gathering the voices and realities of affected populations, Fact Foundation (FACT) played a pivotal role in designing and delivering community centered actionable insights aimed at improving coordination and decision making processes across the BAY states. Through the HARP TPM project, interventions funded by FCDO were not only found to be effective, but targeted and contextually responsive. HARP interventions were also seen to uphold the principles of dignity, transparency, and accountability. Thus, ensuring and enhancing that the vulnerable are reached amidst existing operational challenges. 

Statement of Problem

Now entering its 16th year, the humanitarian crisis in  NE Nigeria remains one of the world’s most prolonged and complex humanitarian emergencies. The ongoing conflict involving security forces and non-state armed groups continues to fuel widespread displacement, disrupt access to essential services, and expose many of the region’s population to protection risks. As of 2023, approximately 2.1 million people remain displaced across the BAY states^[1], with many living in secondary or informal settlements following the closure of official camps^[2]. These evolving dynamics have further strained humanitarian operations and deepened existing vulnerabilities.

The situation is further compounded by the persistent food insecurity^[3], recurrent disease outbreaks, climate induced shocks such as flooding, drought and irregular rainfall patterns^[4]. Health systems remain fragile or operationally non-existent, access to life saving services is limited particularly for women, children and persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) and older adults in hard to reach or insecure areas. In responses, FCDO funded partners such as UNICEF, WFP and CARE International to continue to provide critical interventions in nutrition, food assistance, protection and resilience building assistance across the BAY states^[5].

However, despite ongoing support, the complex operational environment, compounded by insecurity, fluctuating access, and constrained funding, undermines visibility into program delivery outcomes. Limited capacity for real time verification and community feedback impairs efforts to ensure accountability, improve service delivery quality, and adaptive programming to rapidly changing needs^[6]. It is within this context that the HARP TPM emerged as a crucial mechanism for the independent verification of FCDO HARP funded humanitarian activities. With the overarching aim of identifying implementation gaps, and providing timely, evidence-based insights to enhance coordination, transparency and responsiveness across the BAY states.

HARP TPM Focus

To strengthen transparency, learning, and accountability within the FCDO-funded HARP, TPM was deployed across BAY states. FACT led the independent monitoring of interventions implemented by UNICEF, WFP, and CARE International, delivering timely, field-based insights to improve program effectiveness and support adaptive decision-making.

Monitoring activities were tailored to each partner’s sectorial focus, using a layered monitoring approach that allowed for nuanced tracking of each implementing partner’s program performance.  This included the systematic review of areas such as risk monitoring, adherence to Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) principles, Safeguarding Against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH), anti-fraud mechanisms and access barriers particularly  for vulnerable and marginalised groups.

FACT conducted quarterly data collection activities through three major field components designed to provide comprehensive monitoring insights. The first , Light-Touch Verification (LTV) was a quantitative beneficiary facing assessment focused on verifying aid distribution activities carried out by implementing partners. It involved direct interviews with beneficiaries to determine whether they received the appropriate assistance as intended.  The second component, Risk Monitoring (RM) adopted a qualitative approach, gathering information through  Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with community  stakeholders, beneficiaries, volunteers and aid workers. This exercise explored potential and emerging risks associated with program delivery, protection and community dynamics. The third component, Flash Reporting, functioned as a rapid response mechanism to identify and document instances of fraud, misconduct, and safeguarding concerns. These reports were triggered by on-site observations by the FACT field team or disclosures from community members, beneficiaries, volunteers and community based aid workers/staff. Collectively,  these three components ensured that FACT’s monitoring approach was not only robust and multi-dimensional but also grounded in the lived experiences of those directly impacted by the humanitarian interventions.

Community perspectives were central to the TPM process, field teams carried out beneficiary interviews, FGDs, KIIs and debrief sessions to capture direct feedback and lived experiences. These were consolidated into regular reports, interactive dashboards, and learning briefs shared with both FCDO and implementing partners for review, input and subsequent adaptation into their programming. Through the integrated approach, FACT not only verified the delivery of aid but also ensured that humanitarian programming  of the implementing partners was continuously informed by the voices, perspectives and needs of the affected communities. Thus , reinforcing trust, ownership and accountability across the FCDO funded response.

Role of FACT

FACT served as the TPM partner for the FCDO funded HARPin NE Nigeria, supporting oversight and learning across the BAY states. As the operational lead, FACT’s main objective was to conduct independent and neutral monitoring of implementing partners UNICEF, WFP and CARE International ensuring that programme activities were identified with beneficiary needs and were delivered transparently, effectively and with accountability. In this capacity, FACT not only verified aid delivery but also promoted continuous learning by identifying gaps, good practices, and opportunities for improvement within the wider humanitarian response.

FACT deployed trained field teams to execute structured monitoring activities guided by FCDO’s Terms of Reference (ToRs), generating real-time, actionable data to support adaptive decision making. These activities included LTV, which assessed the reach and outcomes of programme interventions, RM which captured protection concerns and operational challenges through community-based qualitative feedback. Flash reporting further complements this by enabling the rapid identification and documentation of incidents reported by community members, beneficiaries and workers.

A central pillar of FACT’s TPM mandate was the integration of AAP. monitoring tools were adapted to capture community feedback on targeting, awareness of entitlements and access to complaints and feedback mechanisms. While many respondents acknowledged improvements in transparency and engagement, others cited gaps in sensitization and grievance redress. Based on these insights, FACT provided partners with targeted recommendations such as enhancing pre-distribution communication, improving community outreach and formalizing and familiarising communities with feedback systems. This people centred approach helped implementing partners to fine tune their programmes and ensured that TPM served not merely as a compliance tool but a vehicle for inclusive and responsive humanitarian action. FACT was specifically responsible for all field/data collection related activities that focused on monitoring, verification and validation.

These activities include;

Round 1 and 3 Risk Monitoring

A total of 12 KI interviews (6 per state), and 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) with direct beneficiaries (4 per state) across Borno and Yobe states for UNICEF and WFP, while Care International was monitored across the three BAY states.

Impact metrics (Infographics)

The project spanned one year:

Fact Foundation conducted Third party Monitoring (TPM) across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, engaging a total of 1,066 beneficiaries:

Round 1 Light Touch Verification (13th to 25th June 2024)

A total of 2,653 beneficiaries across the three BAY states:

• UNICEF: 859 beneficiaries were surveyed in Borno (428) and Yobe (431). Data collection was supported by lists of health facilities and beneficiary distribution provided by UNICEF per LGA.
• WFP: 1,280 beneficiaries were reached in Borno (431) and Yobe (420), specifically covering the LGAs of Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza, Kala/Balge, Mafa, and Ngala (Borno) Geidam, Gujba, Yunusari, and Yusufari (Yobe).
• CARE International: 512 beneficiaries were surveyed across Adamawa (93), Borno (196), and Yobe (225), all of whom had received assistance within the four weeks prior to data collection. A total of 206 valid interviews were recorded between 21 January to 11 February 2025.

Round 1 Risk Monitoring (26th June to 14th July 2024)

• WFP: A total of 12 KI interviews (6 per state), and 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) with direct beneficiaries (4 per state) across Borno and Yobe states to map out any emerging, ongoing, or reducing risk related to the operational context, safeguarding, impact of activities, and finance/fraud. In each state, two Local Government Areas (LGAs) with the highest number of direct beneficiaries were selected to conduct the FGDs and KIIs. In each selected LGA, 3KIIs were conducted with a local authority (such as a community leader, council chief or camp leader), a women’s representative, and a youth representative. Whereas FGD were conducted with female and male beneficiaries.
• UNICEF: A total of 12 KI interviews (6 per state), and 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) with direct beneficiaries (4 per state) across Borno and Yobe states to map out any emerging, ongoing, or reducing risk related to the operational context, safeguarding, impact of activities, and finance/fraud. In each state, two Local Government Areas (LGAs) with the highest number of direct beneficiaries were selected to conduct the FGDs and KIIs. In each selected LGA, 3KIIs were conducted with a local authority (such as a community leader, council chief or camp leader), a women’s representative, and a youth representative. Whereas FGD were conducted with female and male beneficiaries.
• CARE International: A total of 18 KI interviews (6 per state), and 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) with direct beneficiaries (4 per state) across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states to map out any emerging, ongoing, or reducing risk related to the operational context, safeguarding, impact of activities, and finance/fraud. In each state, two Local Government Areas (LGAs) with the highest number of direct beneficiaries were selected to conduct the FGDs and KIIs. In each selected LGA, 3 KIIs were conducted with a local authority (such as a community leader, council chief or camp leader), a women’s representative, and a youth representative. Whereas FGD were conducted with female and male beneficiaries.

Round 2 Light Touch Verification (12th  to 30th  November 2024)

A total of 2,653 beneficiaries across the three BAY states:

• UNICEF: 859 beneficiaries were surveyed in Borno (428), Yobe (431). Data collection was supported by lists of health facilities and beneficiary distribution provided by UNICEF per LGA.
• WFP: 1,280 beneficiaries were reached in Borno (431) and Yobe (420), specifically covering the LGAs of Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza, Kala/Balge, Mafa, and Ngala (Borno) Geidam, Gujba, Yunusari, and Yusufari (Yobe).
• CARE International: 512 beneficiaries were surveyed across Adamawa (93), Borno (196), and Yobe (225), all of whom had received assistance within the four weeks prior to data collection. A total of 206 valid interviews were recorded between 21 January to 11 February 2025.

Round 3 Light Touch Verification (21st January to 19th February 2025)

A total of 2,653 beneficiaries across the three BAY states:

• UNICEF: 859 beneficiaries were surveyed in Borno (428), and Yobe (431). Data collection was supported by lists of health facilities and beneficiary distribution provided by UNICEF per LGA.
• WFP: 1,280 beneficiaries were reached in Adamawa(429), Borno (431) and Yobe (420), specifically covering the LGAs of Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza, Kala/Balge, Mafa, and Ngala (Borno) Geidam, Gujba, Yunusari, and Yusufari (Yobe). Madagali and Micika LGAs (Adamawa)
• CARE International: 512 beneficiaries were surveyed across Adamawa (93), Borno (196), and Yobe (225), all of whom had received assistance within the four weeks prior to data collection. A total of 206 valid interviews were recorded between 21 January to 11 February 2025.

Round 3 Risk Monitoring (2nd to 29th December 2024)

• WFP: total of 12 KI interviews (6 per state), and 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) with direct beneficiaries (4 per state) across Borno and Yobe states to map out any emerging, ongoing, or reducing risk related to the operational context, safeguarding, impact of activities, and finance/fraud. In each state, two Local Government Areas (LGAs) with the highest number of direct beneficiaries were selected to conduct the FGDs and KIIs. In each selected LGA, 3KIIs were conducted with a local authority (such as a community leader, council chief or camp leader), a women’s representative, and a youth representative. Whereas FGD were conducted with female and male beneficiaries.
• UNICEF: A total of 12 KI interviews (6 per state), and 8 focus group discussions (FGDs) with direct beneficiaries (4 per state) across Borno and Yobe states to map out any emerging, ongoing, or reducing risk related to the operational context, safeguarding, impact of activities, and finance/fraud. In each state, two Local Government Areas (LGAs) with the highest number of direct beneficiaries were selected to conduct the FGDs and KIIs. In each selected LGA, 3KIIs were conducted with a local authority (such as a community leader, council chief or camp leader), a women’s representative, and a youth representative. Whereas FGD were conducted with female and male beneficiaries.
• CARE International: A total of 18 KI interviews (6 per state), and 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) with direct beneficiaries (4 per state) across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states to map out any emerging, ongoing, or reducing risk related to the operational context, safeguarding, impact of activities, and finance/fraud. In each state, two Local Government Areas (LGAs) with the highest number of direct beneficiaries were selected to conduct the FGDs and KIIs. In each selected LGA, 3 KIIs were conducted with a local authority (such as a community leader, council chief or camp leader), a women’s representative, and a youth representative. Whereas FGD were conducted with female and male beneficiaries.

Conclusion

By the end of the project, Fact Foundation effectively implemented  TPM   across more than 30  LGAs in the BAY states, covering all assigned implementation areas for UNICEF, WFP, and CARE International. Across multiple rounds,  the TPM team completed LTV, RM, and Flash Reporting,  gathering both quantitative and qualitative data across key  sectors such as  nutrition, food security, livelihood and protection.

These activities, conducted in line with FCDOs ToRs,  in 4, 000 structured engagements community members, aid recipients, and frontline workers  through structured surveys, FGDs , and KIIs. The evidence generated was synthesized into  interactive dashboards, reports, and joint learning sessions that directly informed adaptive programming and strengthened decision-making processes.

The successful execution of the HARP TPM reflects the critical value of independent, community centred monitoring in fragile contexts. It highlights how neutral evidence-based feedback loops can reinforce accountability, enhance transparency, and improve the quality and responsiveness of humanitarian interventions in NE’s most challenging operational communities.

^[1] IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Nigeria Report, Round 45 (2023)

^[2] OCHA Nigeria Humanitarian Bulletin, December 2023

^[3] Cadre Harmonise Analysis, March 2024-Nigeria.

^[4] Nigeria Climate Risk Country Profile (World Bank/USAID, 2024)

^[5] FCDO HARP TPM Partner Reports, (2023)

^[6] Nigeria Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), 2024

About the Report:

This report presents topline findings based on selected indicators across various themes and sectors from the SNRA. While these indicators do not capture the complete sectoral picture, they aim to provide a snapshot of the current situation. A comprehensive dataset and detailed analysis are available here, with full sectoral reports set to be released in November 2024.

The downloadable version of this report is available here

Background and Approach:

North East Nigeria faces severe humanitarian needs as the conflict from the Lake Chad region enters its 15th year. The 2024 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) estimates that 7.9 million individuals in the BAY states (Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe) require humanitarian assistance. Ongoing access challenges have hindered humanitarian partners’ abilities to accurately assess the scale and severity of these needs. With camp closures, ongoing conflict, and limited access for researchers and aid workers, providing an updated evidence-based overview of needs is crucial for strategic planning.

Fact Foundation facilitated the multi-sectoral household survey in collaboration with the Assessment and Analysis Working Group (AAWG) and the ISCG to address these challenges. A secondary data review was conducted to identify existing information gaps, and feedback was collected from partner organisations and sectors.

The Sectoral Needs and Risk Analysis (SNRA) employed a quantitative data collection approach to understand the humanitarian needs and living conditions of affected populations. The SNRA data encompasses household surveys from 62 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the BAY states, utilising a stratified cluster sampling method that achieves a 90% confidence level with a 10% margin of error. The methodology also ensured representation for population groups (internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities) at the state level.

Summary of Findings:

• Food Insecurity and Economic Vulnerability: Households across BAY states face severe food insecurity, with IDPs experiencing the most acute shortages. Most households depend on market purchases for food, often supplemented by humanitarian assistance, but limited incomes force many into debt, especially as high food costs consume the majority of their income. Rising food and fuel prices are anticipated, yet many households feel unprepared with the majority lacking safety nets against economic shocks.
• Access to Services and Living Conditions: Healthcare and education access is critically low, hindered by high costs, lack of facilities, and overcrowding, especially among IDP and returnee populations. Shelter conditions are often inadequate, and daily water needs also remain unmet for many households.
• Preferences and Gaps in Humanitarian Assistance: Food and cash assistance are the most valued types of assistance with cash offering needed flexibility amid economic instability. While satisfaction with aid is generally high, IDPs in Yobe report notable access and inclusion barriers. Generally, direct face-to-face communication is the preferred method for receiving information, reinforcing the need for accessible AAP channels and responsive support systems across the BAY states.

1.   Demographics and Vulnerability

The indicators in this section provide an overview of the population’s structure and identify vulnerable groups, such as households with disabled members and female-headed households.

Across the BAY states, about a quarter of households reported having at least one member with a disability, with seeing and walking difficulties being the most common. Returnee households had the highest proportion of members with disabilities compared to other population groups.

Households in the BAY states are typically large, averaging 6.5 members, and the average age of heads of households (HoHHs) across all three states is 51 years, with a significant majority being male (around 96%). However, female-headed households are more prevalent among returnees, particularly in Adamawa (17%).

2.   Food Security

The selected food security indicators focus on food access and shocks related to food security, such as food shortages or price increases.

The assessment shows a concerning level of food insecurity across the BAY states, with 66% of households in Borno reporting food shortages in the past 30 days, compared to 75% in Yobe and 80% among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Adamawa. A significant proportion of households rely on diverse food sources, primarily purchasing from markets (38% overall) and their own production (31% overall). However, 12% of households in Borno and 24% in Adamawa reported receiving food from humanitarian aid agencies, indicating ongoing reliance on external support.

Households have faced multiple food-related shocks in the past six months, with 32% citing unusually high food prices and 19% reporting increased costs for fuel and transport. These economic pressures contribute to heightened vulnerability, especially among IDPs, as they experience compounded challenges, including reduced income and loss of employment.

3.   Nutrition

The indicators selected in this section focus on child nutrition, specifically under-five children and nutrition programme coverage.

Across the BAY states, a significant proportion of children under five are facing challenges in accessing adequate nutrition. In Borno, only 31% of returnee households reported that their children had consumed food the previous day, while in Yobe, only 17% of IDP children had eaten.

Of the children who had NOT consumed food the previous day, only a small proportion are enrolled in a nutrition program, with 17% of households in Borno and 10% in Adamawa reporting their children’s enrollment in such programs.

4.   Livelihoods

The indicators in this section assess household income sources, expenditure patterns, and debt. The debt indicators particularly provide a measure of household financial stress and potential areas for debt relief or income-generating interventions.

Casual labour is the main income source across the BAY States, with over half of households in Borno (52%), Yobe (56%), and Adamawa (54%) relying on it. Income from own business or commerce also plays a significant role, especially among host communities, with 40% in Borno and 45% in Adamawa reporting it as a primary income source. Humanitarian assistance constitutes only about 10% of income sources across the BAY states.

However, lack of capital is consistently reported as the top barrier to finding work, with over 50% of households across the BAY states citing this issue. Lack of education or skills further compounds these challenges, particularly for IDPs in Borno (60%) and the host communities in Adamawa (50%).

The average household incomes across the BAY states are significantly lower than their expenditures, creating a clear deficit that households are covering through accumulating debt. In almost all cases, the debt burden was notably higher than the average monthly income, exacerbating financial pressures. Additionally, households are facing disproportionately high expenditures on food, with some spending over 90% of their income on basic sustenance. This further illustrates the unsustainable economic strain on families, as essential needs consume nearly all of their available resources.

5.   Health

The indicators here explore household access to healthcare, illness among children, and maternal health. To provide insights into the accessibility and quality of healthcare services, particularly for young children and women of reproductive age.

Only a small proportion of households, around a quarter on average, report having access to healthcare facilities within 30 minutes from their homes with No barriers, with Adamawa showing the lowest access at just 20%. This lack of access for the larger proportion may be reflected in the prevalence of child illnesses, as many households reported illnesses among children under 5, with fever (37%) and malaria (23%) being the most common illnesses across the BAY states.

Over 50% (on average) of households reported some barriers when seeking healthcare, some of the significant barriers were identified, including long waiting times (28%), the unavailability of specific treatments (19%) and the cost was also a barrier for 18% of households.

Furthermore, less than half of women of reproductive age were attended by a skilled birth attendant, with reliance on traditional birth attendants (25%) still high, particularly in Borno and Adamawa.

6.   Education

The indicators below assess both enrollment and barriers to education (formal), highlighting the extent to which children, particularly boys and girls, can access schooling.

Across the BAY states, school enrollment and attendance rates for children vary significantly by region and population group. Overall, almost half of the households (43%) in Borno and Yobe have No child enrolled in formal education, with returnees showing the lowest enrollment rates in Adamawa.

Key barriers to education differ between boys and girls but are generally centered around financial constraints, such as school fees and the cost of materials, which is the most frequently reported obstacle in both groups. Other common challenges include overcrowded schools and long distances to school, with returnees and IDPs experiencing more barriers than host communities.

7.   Protection

Protection indicators focus on safety, security incidents, and psychosocial distress within households. To identify households and individuals at risk of harm, violence, or trauma, particularly vulnerable groups such as children.

Most households across the three states reported no safety incidents, with the highest percentages in Adamawa and Borno. However, Yobe stands out with a significant drop among returnees, where only 56% of households reported no safety incidents, indicating heightened security concerns for this group. In Yobe, returnee households reported higher risks for adult household members (20%) and girl children (12%), highlighting a particular vulnerability in this population.

Psychosocial distress is a significant concern among returnees and IDPs in Yobe and Adamawa. Physical violence is the most significant concern for boys, particularly in Adamawa (up to 76% of households), and in Borno (63%). Sexual violence is the predominant concern for girls, with Borno (38%) and Adamawa (67%) showing high levels of concern.

8.   Water Sanitation and Hygiene

The indicator in this section focuses on household access to sufficient and improved water sources and sanitation facilities.

Most households in Borno (68%) and Yobe (71%) have access to improved water sources and meet a daily need of at least 150 liters. In contrast, Adamawa falls significantly behind, with only 46% of households meeting these needs. A substantial portion of households, particularly in Adamawa, struggle to access adequate water, with 54% not reaching the required daily supply.

Pit latrines without a slab or platform are commonly used across the BAY states, with most households in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa relying on them.

9.   Shelter NFI

The selected indicators in this section assess the adequacy of shelter and household living conditions. They provide insights into whether households have access to safe, functional living spaces and the nature of their occupancy.

Households across the BAY states face significant challenges in accessing functional domestic living spaces. Lack of lighting, proper bathing and cooking facilities were the main issues.

In terms of occupancy arrangements, ownership is most common in Adamawa (78%) and Yobe (65%), while a notable proportion of households in Borno (14%) are squatting without any formal agreements. Many shelters across the states also fail to meet technical standards, with issues such as cracks in roofs and walls, and partially collapsed roofs being common, especially in Adamawa where 37% of households report roof problems.

10.   Shocks and Durable Solutions

The indicators here assess the shocks households have experienced in the past year and their perceived preparedness for future risks.

Households in the BAY states have faced a range of shocks over the past year, with high food prices being the most prevalent issue, especially in Yobe (36% of households) and Adamawa (34%). Additionally, households have been impacted by unusually high fuel and transport prices, particularly in Yobe, where 25% of households reported these challenges. Also, reduced income has also been a concern for many households, particularly in Adamawa (16%).

Looking ahead, there are significant concerns about future risks, with many households anticipating further food prices rise (33% in Yobe and 32% in Adamawa) and fuel price increases (26% in Yobe and 24% in Adamawa). Most households consider these risks to be “Likely” or “Very likely”, yet households feel unprepared for these potential risks, with over 40% in Yobe and Adamawa reporting feeling “not at all prepared” or “only a little bit prepared.”

Unfortunately, a large proportion of households remain outside of any social security scheme, especially in Borno (86%) and Yobe (73%), leaving many without safety nets to cope with future shocks.

11.   Feedback and Accountability

These indicators focus on how households provide and receive feedback from assistance providers. Measuring the effectiveness of communication channels and whether households feel their complaints are being addressed.

A significant proportion of households did not report any feedback or complaints to assistance providers, especially in Adamawa, where 82% of households did not report. In contrast, Yobe shows a higher reporting rate (66% of host households), with IDPs (51%) and returnees (43%) showing a slightly lower engagement. And while a majority of households in Borno (64%) received feedback on their complaints, this is much lower in Yobe, especially among IDPs and returnees (26% and 32%, respectively).

Overwhelmingly, Face-to-face communication with aid workers at home is preferred across all states. while phone calls rank second in popularity, especially in Yobe, where 37% of respondents prefer this method.

12.   Preferred Assistance

This section captures household preferences for different types of assistance (food, cash, vouchers, or in-kind assistance).

Food assistance is the top choice for future support, with consistently high preference across all states.

Physical cash is the second most preferred option, especially in Adamawa, where 49% of households prioritise cash assistance, significantly higher than Borno (37%) and Yobe (30%). Across the states, households prioritise the flexibility that cash provides, allowing them to choose what to buy. In Yobe, 50% of respondents expressed the need for financial security, while 35% in Borno and 37% in Yobe cited the convenience of carrying cash, compared to just 23% in Adamawa.

High market prices, driven by inflation, are a major reason for favouring in-kind support, with approximately 34% of respondents believing that in-kind assistance offers better quality than what’s available in markets. Vouchers are also seen as a desirable option, particularly due to the freedom to choose purchases. Portability was reported as a key benefit, especially among IDPs in Yobe.

13.   Satisfaction with Assistance

Finally, indicators selected in this section measure how satisfied households are with the assistance they have received and whether they encountered barriers to accessing that assistance.

Across the BAY states, face-to-face communication remains the most preferred way for households to receive information, with an average of 27%, followed by phone calls at 20%. In Adamawa, in-person communication is especially prominent (29%), while in Yobe, phone calls are the favoured method at 32%.

Regarding satisfaction with the assistance received, there is a high overall satisfaction rate, with 70% of households reporting positive feedback. Adamawa had the highest satisfaction at 83%, while Yobe reported slightly lower levels at 75%. Conversely, around 27% of respondents across regions expressed dissatisfaction, especially among IDPs in Yobe.

When it comes to accessing assistance, 50% of households reported facing no barriers. However, a significant 18% of households, particularly in Adamawa, highlighted the absence of aid providers as a key obstacle. Additionally, 16% reported exclusion or lack of information as barriers, with a higher incidence among IDPs.

Conclusion:

As the humanitarian crisis persists in North East Nigeria, millions across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe remain in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Despite significant access challenges, the SNRA conducted by Fact Foundation under the framework of the AAWG and ISCG offers critical, updated insights into the needs of internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities.

The 2024 SNRA highlights the acute vulnerability of children, with high rates of malnutrition and limited access to proper nutrition. Moreover, the prevalence of safety concerns and psychosocial distress, particularly affecting women and children, underlines the urgent need for protection and maternal health services. The data also shows that households face significant economic stress, a heavy reliance on debt for basic needs, with incomes often falling short of expenditures, particularly on food, which consumes a large portion of their income. Casual labour, the primary income source, does not provide reliable financial stability, and lack of access to capital, education, or skills limits job opportunities.

Needs appeared to be overwhelmingly driven by limited financial capacity and a general lack of infrastructure, in addition to increased pressure on shared resources and livelihoods opportunities under the strain of internal displacement.

It is important to note that these findings reflect only the population in areas accessible for face-to-face interviews. Given that insecurity is the primary factor driving household displacement, inaccessible and hard-to-reach areas likely face even more severe multi-sectoral needs.

The downloadable version of this report is available here

Background 

The World Food Programme (WFP) is addressing the food needs of the affected population through its Country Strategic Plan (CSP) spanning from 2023 to 2027. This comprehensive plan aims to deliver food assistance, cash transfers, capacity building, and livelihood opportunities to the affected communities. Currently, WFP operates in various areas of Borno State, including Bayo, Biu, Damboa, Hawul, Kwaya Kusar, and Shani Local Government Areas (LGAs), all of which coincide with FACT’s operational zones. To enhance accountability, effectiveness, and efficiency within the CSP framework and to mitigate risks, FACT has partnered with WFP to implement third-party monitoring (TPM) in these aforementioned locations. In pursuit of the project’s objectives, the team from Fact Foundation regularly visited sites of the Targeted Supplementary Feeding Program, retailer outlets, and locations where WFP’s activities funded by BMZ (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany) were being carried out. These visits were conducted monthly in accordance with the work order assigned to FACT by WFP. Throughout the project duration, FACT was tasked with overseeing a total of 857 distribution sites. While the project team managed to cover 665 of these sites, representing a completion rate of 77%, certain limitations were encountered. The inability to reach some sites was primarily attributed to challenges related to poor road conditions and security concerns in the area.

Statement of problem

Northeast Nigeria is currently facing a remarkable humanitarian crisis as a result of the conflict involving security forces and armed opposition groups (AOGs). The situation since 2009 has deteriorated significantly, with most Local Government areas in Borno state and the adjoining States of Adamawa and Yobe experiencing enormous destruction of infrastructure, large-scale population displacement and disruption in livelihoods. Threats of attacks by non-state armed groups and restrictions in movements continue to have negative impacts on trade, livelihoods, and markets, leaving a substantial proportion of the population relying on humanitarian assistance. 

In 2022, 4.1 million people were projected to face alarming levels of food insecurity and malnutrition in the Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states, unhindered humanitarian access and a safe operating environment are critical to enable aid agencies to sustain the ongoing scale-up and prepositioning of vital supplies. The unrest and insecurity affected the food security, nutrition and livelihood situation of areas in the Lake Chad Basin, significantly impacting areas in Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. Livelihood and markets have been disrupted, and mass population displacements are seen with the situation showing little signs of substantially abating. 

Nigeria is the world’s seventh most populated nation and home to Africa’s largest population, currently more than 216 million people with an average growth of 2.5 % per year putting it on track to reach 401 million by 2050. More than 43% of the population is under 14 years of age and it is ranked 163rd of 189 countries in the 2020 Human Development Index and 186th for life expectancy at 52.7 years at birth. Nigeria has a large informal economy, accounting for more than half of its GDP and over 80 per cent of employment. Agriculture represents about one-quarter of total GDP, indicating broad exposure to the impact of climate change. High incidence of floods, desertification and deforestation continues to pose serious threats to livelihoods.

Unfortunately, undernourishment and food insecurity are steadily on the rise, and this is partly owing to low agricultural production, inadequate policy choices and persistent conflict and population displacement, exacerbated by insufficient social protection coverage, which supports only 13 % of Nigerians. More than half of all Nigerians, or more than 100 million people, are enduring at least moderate food insecurity.

In response to rising food insecurity, volatile food prices, security uncertainties and climate change impacts, WFP is leveraging targeted gender-sensitive crisis response to help forge durable paths to recovery by moving relief beneficiaries to livelihood activities, supporting food systems that are climate-resilient and integrating nutrition, gender and protection concerns into all interventions. The approach will also mainstream Accountability to the Affected Population (AAP), disability inclusion and environmental sustainability. On these premises, WFP intends to refine targeting to better ensure the inclusion of vulnerable groups; improve gender sensitivity in programming; extend the timeframes of activities; and explore opportunities to scale up livelihood activities by providing food assistance and an integrated package of gender-transformative malnutrition prevention alongside social and behavior change communication, asset-creation, skills development and complementary livelihood activities to crisis-affected, food-insecure internally displaced persons, returnees, refugees, host communities and nutritionally vulnerable groups (including children 6–23 months of age and pregnant and nursing mothers). 

Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) Focus 

The TPM service provision achieved its goals through a two-pronged approach. In areas of stability where the existing WFP capacity was limited, monitoring gaps were filled on an as-needed basis, depending on the capacity of the WFP office at that particular time. Currently, WFP Nigeria is extending its Country Strategic Plan (CSP) from February 2023 to 2027, which aims to strengthen WFP’s presence in Nigeria by building partnerships and maximizing results through complementary action. The CSP aims to support the people WFP serves with in-kind food, cash transfers, and capacity building through the provision of:

• General food distributions and income generation activities capacity building; 
• Malnutrition prevention for children under 5 years of age and pregnant or breastfeeding women and malnutrition treatment activities for children under 5 years of age;
• Seasonal livelihood assistance; and 
• Integrated malnutrition prevention for pregnant or breastfeeding women. All activities were supplemented with social behavior change communication messaging.

Role of FACT

Fact Foundation (FACT), in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), extended enhanced monitoring coverage across all operational areas in Borno State, particularly in the Bayo, Biu, Dambo, Hawul, Kwaya Kusar, and Shani Local Government Areas (LGAs) through a monthly assigned Work Order (WO). The primary purpose is to ensure adherence to WFP’s recommended guidelines in providing services to beneficiaries while safeguarding them from further harm or indignity. Additionally, it seeks to ensure neutrality, impartiality, and confidentiality during the implementation of activities, as well as in data collection through any means, and to gather high-quality and reliable data for WFP decision-making and reporting. 

FACT has a strong profile of research staff with years of experience in conducting TPM for UN Agencies and Donors. Through the field presence of FACT teams in the Northeast, the approach focused on assessing the quality and means of improving the various activities WFP implemented. With strict adherence to WFP’s monitoring TORs, FACT’s TPM activities not only helped WFP as well as partners to understand the risks and find ways to mitigate them but also focused on the views of beneficiaries and their opinions on how programs could be improved, to be more efficient and effective. The two types of monitoring conducted by WFP include process monitoring and outcome monitoring. Therefore, the overall aim of FACT was to spot-check whether, and to what extent, the project is meeting its desired outcomes, and is in line with international good practice and sector standards, with a particular focus on programme quality, accountability to affected populations (AAP), protection and fraud risk mitigation. 

Through a monthly Work Order (WO), FACT is assigned various activities classified as ACTIVITY 1, 2, and 4, for monitoring and reporting. These activities include; 

Impact metrics (Infographics)

In 10 months of TPM’s field activities, FACT’s project team was able to complete its monitoring assignment in 639 (77%) out of 830 sites/locations assigned through the monthly Work Order across the six (6) LGAs. During these visits, the TPM monitors successfully carried out 315 debriefs, 3490  beneficiary interviews, and attended 52 Coordination meetings with state and local government stakeholders. 

During the visits to the various distribution sites, the TPM project team held 557 post-distribution debriefs. These debrief sessions were conducted to share observation findings, beneficiary views, and monitoring issues noted during the activities. The debrief sessions were held with the LGA, UNICEF, cooperating partners, and the TPM team in attendance. 

At each distribution site, the team must conduct beneficiary interviews. This exercise allows WFP to have a clear understanding of how its aid and services impact the people they serve. The 

Conclusion

By the conclusion of the project, the team from Fact Foundation successfully covered 639 out of the 830 sites/locations designated by WFP in Bayo, Biu, Damboa, Hawul, Kwaya Kusar, and Shani, as outlined in the monthly Work Order. Throughout the project duration, the team diligently monitored various activities including Retailers Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Market Price Data Collection, Targeted Supplementary Feeding Program for Pregnant Breastfeeding Women and Girls (E-voucher), Unconditional Resource Transfer (URT) In-kind for New Arrivals, and 6-23 Months (E-voucher), alongside Warehouse Monitoring. The achieved coverage represents a commendable 77% completion rate within the project timeline. These milestones reflect the concerted efforts of the project team and the effective coordination facilitated by the senior management. The success is attributable to the robust communication channels upheld throughout the project implementation phase.