Global Funding Crisis Risks Hunger for 35 Million Nigerians – UN

The United Nations warned on Thursday that over 35 million Nigerians could face starvation during the lean season of 2026. It mentioned almost 3 million children are at risk of severe malnutrition as global humanitarian aid budgets fall and conflict rages in the Northern Nigeria.

According to Reuters, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Malick Fall, mentioned this during his speech at the introduction of Nigeria’s 2026 Humanitarian Plan on Thursday.

He mentioned that the long-standing model of foreign-led aid that supported millions is collapsing, even as needs rise.

According to him, the UN can only hope to provide $516 million to save the lives of 2.5 million people this year, compared to 3.6 million in 2025. This was roughly half of what was provided the year before.

Fall says, “These are not statistics. These numbers represent lives, futures and Nigerians.”

Humanitarian and Security Implications

In order to live, families without food may turn to desperate coping mechanisms including relocation, asset sales, or even joining armed groups.

These acts not only hurt families. They also increase the risk and difficulty of humanitarian work when there is increase in insecurity and difficulty in reaching more communities.

The Word Food Programme has frequently cautioned that the collapse of food aid poses a threat to the vulnerable stability of impacted communities as well as human lives.

The most vulnerable groups are children, the elderly, and displaced people. Malnutrition threatens development and health, and recent progress could be undone if immediate action is not taken.

What Lies Ahead

In order to stop food security from getting worse, the UN and its partners are calling on donor countries to make additional pledges.

These countries need to step up domestic efforts because global financing has stopped.

Humanitarian officials also warned that financing delays may result in more cuts to food aid, health care, and nutrition programs in the most vulnerable areas.

Millions of Nigerians may experience a year of hunger, misery, and uncertainty if the funding collapse is not reversed. This raises worries about increased displacement, societal instability, and long-term harm to livelihoods.