European Union Food Aid Programmes and Nutrition Security in IDP Camps in North-East Nigeria

This study evaluates the effectiveness of European Union food aid and nutrition programmes in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in North-East Nigeria, with focus on camps in Maiduguri (Borno State) and Damaturu (Yobe State). The displacement crisis generated by the Boko Haram insurgency has created chronic food insecurity and acute malnutrition, particularly among children under five and pregnant and lactating women. The EU has been one of the largest humanitarian donors in the Lake Chad Basin, channelling resources through ECHO (European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations) and partner organisations. This descriptive study analyses EU ECHO programme reports, World Food Programme (WFP) situation reports, and secondary literature on humanitarian nutrition in conflict settings published between 2020 and 2024. Field data from structured interviews with IDP camp managers and food distribution coordinators conducted during 2023 are incorporated. The study examines whether EU food aid has addressed acute malnutrition targets, how ration adequacy and distribution logistics have performed, and what challenges have been encountered in reaching the most vulnerable IDP sub-populations. Findings identify coordination bottlenecks, donor fatigue effects, and sustainability concerns as key constraints on programme impact. Keywords: EU food aid, nutrition security, IDP camps, North-East Nigeria, ECHO humanitarian.