The situation

The armed conflict between Boko Haram and the Nigerian government forces began in 2009, in the north-east of the country before spreading to the region of Lake Chad and the neighbouring regions. Since 2015, the Joint Multinational Force combining troops from Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Benin have succeeded in reclaiming many Boko Haram strongholds.  But the group has continued to carry out suicide attacks against civilians.

Violations of human rights and the rights of man, insecurity and fear have caused a major humanitarian crisis. Nigeria has 1.8 million displaced people (of whom 54% are women and 56% are children) and the resources of host communities are severely stretched. So cases of malnutrition are increasing in the North-East of the country and some 55,000 people are affected by famine in the state of Borno. But access to care is extremely limited, since the provision of supplies to those health centres which are still functioning is difficult and many of the medical staff have been attacked or displaced.

Our Work

The humanitarian situation in Borno is alarming: 4,3 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and 66% of health facilities have been damaged or destroyed. Access to integrated primary health care is very limited for IDPs and for the host population.

Overcrowding, insufficient potable water, poor hygiene, and sanitary conditions in the camps, centres, and host communities increate the risk of disease outbreaks like cholera, measles, and meningitis.

Doctors of the World has been involved  in the north-east of Nigeria since the end of 2016 with the aim of improving access to care for vulnerable populations,  whether  they are displaced or natives of the region.

We work through four clinics in Maiduguri and Gamboa LGA. Our teams offer primary health care services as well as quality nutritional treatment.

We provide mental health and psychological support for displaced and local populations. Moreover, Doctors of the World provides treatment to GBV survivors among displaced and host populations by providing a Clinical Management of Rape and implementing a system of safe referrals in coordination with pre-identified partners.