Nigeria

Summary of needs

In 2025, the number of people in need of health assistance is 4,930,892, with the Sector targeting around 3,158,720 individuals. Vulnerable groups include children under the age of five, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, and people with disabilities. The functionality of the health infrastructure remains a concern, limiting access to essential health services, particularly in remote areas where there is a critical shortage of health-care workers.

The burden of disease is still a significant issue, with a high risk of outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, measles and malaria due to overcrowded living conditions and poor sanitation. High rates of maternal mortality due to a lack of skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care are compounded by elevated levels of malnutrition and preventable diseases among children, who have limited access to immunizations and paediatric care.

There is a significant need for mental health and psychosocial support services due to trauma and stress from the crisis. High rates of acute malnutrition, particularly among children under five, are driven by food insecurity, disasters such as floods, and disrupted livelihoods. Currently, there is an ongoing need for basic health services, including mobile clinics and outreach programmes in remote areas, the provision of medicines, medical equipment and supplies, and the implementation of anticipatory actions to prevent disease outbreaks.

Response strategy

To ensure the health needs of the most vulnerable groups within IDP, returnee and host community populations are met – primarily children and women, including pregnant and lactating women – the primary focus will be on life-saving interventions to prevent death and reduce morbidity. Additionally, efforts will be made to build capacity for the prevention of, preparedness for and response to epidemic-prone diseases, which cyclically increase the vulnerabilities of communities already affected by the crisis, and to strengthen the resilience of the health system including through the humanitarian-development nexus.

To ensure the appropriate provision of essential health services, including maternal and child health, communicable disease control, mental health support, and emergency medical care, the Sector will focus on:

• Static health facilities: Prioritize static health facilities, while also deploying mobile clinics and outreach teams to remote and underserved areas.
• Multisectoral coordination: Continue coordination with various stakeholders, including local governments, international organizations, NGOs and community leaders, to ensure a coordinated response.
• Capacity-building: Train local health workers and volunteers to enhance their capacity to deliver health services, supporting the strengthening of the local health system to ensure sustainability and build resilience against future crises.
• Resource mobilization: Secure adequate funding and supplies, including medicines, medical equipment and logistical support, and build partnerships with donors and other stakeholders to mobilize resources.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Implement robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the progress and effectiveness of health interventions and establish feedback mechanisms to gather input from affected communities and adjust strategies accordingly.
  

Targeting & prioritization

An understanding of the local burden of disease outbreaks, the state of existing health infrastructure, and gaps in service delivery, along with access to health services, informs the prioritization of life-saving and essential health provision. These services are prioritized based on their level of urgency, feasibility and impact when correctly applied to targeted groups – most notably, children and women, including pregnant and lactating women. The response also includes addressing GBV, preparing for and responding to disease outbreaks, and building the resilience of the health system.

Promoting accountable, quality & inclusive programming

To ensure the Health Sector creates effective and high-quality programmes that leave no one behind, emphasis will be placed on transparency.

This involves providing all stakeholders with clear communication on goals, processes and outcomes, and establishing feedback mechanisms to facilitate necessary adjustments and improvements. Continuous monitoring and evaluation will assess the effectiveness and impact of programmes and inform decision-making.

Adherence to international standards and guidelines will ensure the delivery of high-quality services, following best practices and evidence-based approaches. Investing in training and capacity-building for staff and volunteers will help maintain high standards of service delivery. Regularly reviewing and updating practices based on new evidence and feedback, will help to continuously improve the response.

Identifying and addressing barriers to access will ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, have equitable access to services and resources. This approach will help in understanding and addressing the unique needs of different groups. Promoting diversity and inclusion within teams and leadership to reflect the communities served will further support inclusivity.

Cost of response

The Health Sector's 2025 activity plan aims to promptly respond to medical emergencies and deliver high- quality health care for the most vulnerable. As a result, both project- and activity-based costing approaches are used to calculate the cost of intervention packages.

These estimates are also based on the costs provided by partners in previous years and the available literature. However, there are a number of factors that could affect these estimates, including the rate of inflation, levels of accessibility in target areas, and the cost of transportation, storage andstaff housing.