Humanitarian Logistics and Internally Displaced Persons Relief Distribution in Borno State, North East Nigeria

This study examines the logistics of humanitarian relief distribution to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno State, North East Nigeria. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad Basin has produced one of Africa's largest IDP populations, with Borno State hosting hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals in formal camps and host communities. Effective humanitarian logistics, encompassing needs assessment, procurement, warehousing, and last-mile distribution of food, water, and non-food items, is critical to preventing excess mortality and suffering. Using a descriptive survey design supplemented by field observation, data were collected from 60 logistics coordinators, field officers, and camp management representatives from six humanitarian organisations operating in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Areas of Borno State. The study examines coordination mechanisms among humanitarian actors, procurement sourcing approaches, warehousing conditions, and distribution timeliness. Beneficiary satisfaction with distribution processes is also captured through structured interviews with 100 IDP household representatives. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis are applied. The study draws on recent humanitarian logistics literature and OCHA operational frameworks relevant to protracted displacement crises in Nigeria. Findings are expected to identify coordination failures and last-mile bottlenecks as the most persistent operational challenges. Recommendations are addressed to the National Emergency Management Agency, UN agencies, and NGO logistics clusters operating in North East Nigeria. Keywords: humanitarian logistics, IDPs, relief distribution, Borno State, North East Nigeria.