Apply now: Life-Saving Food and Nutrition Assistance (Crisis Response) in Nigeria

The World Food Programme (WFP) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Activity One, providing life-saving food and nutrition assistance to vulnerable populations in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria. The initiative targets Yobe State (Gujba and Gulani LGAs) and addresses food assistance, cash transfers, early warning systems, and livelihood support for communities affected by conflict, displacement, and insecurity.

Programme Overview

The World Food Programme (WFP) seeks partners to deliver humanitarian food and nutrition assistance in crisis-affected areas of Northeast and Northwest Nigeria. This EOI focuses on populations experiencing acute food insecurity, displacement, and disrupted livelihoods due to ongoing conflict and armed insecurity.

Geographic Focus

• Northeast Nigeria: Yobe State – Cluster D (Gujba and Gulani LGAs)

• Northwest Nigeria: Areas affected by armed banditry and kidnappings, leading to displacement and market disruption

Target Beneficiaries

• Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in camps

• Vulnerable agrarian communities with restricted access to farmland

• Households impacted by high inflation, rising food and fuel costs, and limited access to agricultural inputs

Key Priorities

This activity addresses both immediate humanitarian needs and underlying causes of vulnerability. WFP priorities include:

1. Food Assistance:

   • Provision of life-saving food rations

   • Support for household food security

2. Cash-Based Assistance:

   • Cash transfers to enhance household purchasing power

   • Support for local markets and livelihoods

3. Early Warning and Early Action:

   • Monitoring food security risks

   • Implementing timely interventions to prevent hunger crises

4. Livelihood Support:

   • Assistance to sustain household livelihoods

   • Support for agricultural productivity where farmland access is limited

Context of the Crisis

• Northeast Nigeria: Over a decade of conflict has caused:

  • Mass displacement

  • Infrastructure damage

  • Limited access to social services

  • Disruption of livelihoods and markets

• Northwest Nigeria: Insecurity due to armed banditry and kidnappings has:

  • Displaced communities

  • Disrupted markets and livelihoods

  • Exacerbated food insecurity

• Drivers of food insecurity: High inflation, rising fuel and food prices, and increased costs for agricultural inputs

Eligibility and Submission Requirements

Eligible Partners

• NGOs, civil society organisations, and local/international actors capable of delivering food and nutrition assistance

Required Submission Documents

Applicants must submit a complete EOI package including:

1. Narrative Proposal – detailing proposed interventions, target beneficiaries, and implementation approach

2. Budget Proposal – using WFP-provided templates

3. Work Plan – outlining timelines, activities, and expected outputs

All documents must be compiled in a single zip folder for submission.

Submission Guidelines

• Use provided WFP templates for narrative, budget, and work plan

• Address all focus areas and priorities

• Demonstrate capacity to operate in conflict-affected and high-risk areas

Why This Programme Matters

This initiative is critical because it:

• Provides life-saving food and nutrition support to highly vulnerable populations

• Supports resilient livelihoods in conflict-affected regions

• Strengthens early warning and early action systems to prevent further crises

• Targets displaced, underserved, and vulnerable communities

• Contributes to WFP’s strategic outcome of reducing hunger and fragility in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria

How the Programme Works

1. Call for Expression of Interest (EOI): WFP invites eligible partners to submit proposals

2. Proposal Submission: Complete narrative, budget, and work plan in a zip folder

3. Evaluation: WFP assesses submissions based on capacity, relevance, and feasibility

4. Partner Selection: Successful organisations are contracted to implement interventions

5. Monitoring & Reporting: Partners deliver activities and report progress to WFP for accountability and impact tracking

Key Considerations for Applicants

• Demonstrate experience in humanitarian food assistance

• Address logistical, security, and operational challenges in target areas

• Include gender-sensitive and vulnerable population-focused interventions

• Align activities with WFP strategic objectives and standards for food security

• Ensure timely and feasible project delivery

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting proposals outside WFP-provided templates

• Omitting the budget or work plan

• Failing to address the specific target LGAs and vulnerable populations

• Lack of risk mitigation strategies for conflict-prone areas

• Insufficient detail on cash or food distribution mechanisms

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply?

NGOs and civil society organisations experienced in food and nutrition assistance.

2. Which areas are targeted?

Yobe State – Cluster D (Gujba and Gulani LGAs) in Northeast Nigeria, and conflict-affected areas of Northwest Nigeria.

3. What types of assistance are supported?

Food rations, cash transfers, early warning interventions, and livelihood support.

4. What documents are required?

Narrative proposal, budget proposal, and work plan, compiled in a zip folder.

5. How should submissions be made?

Applications must be submitted as a single zip folder using the WFP templates.

6. Must projects focus on vulnerable groups?

Yes. Projects should target internally displaced persons, agrarian communities, and other at-risk populations.

7. What risks must applicants consider?

Insecurity, displacement, restricted farmland access, market disruption, and logistical challenges in conflict zones.

Conclusion

The WFP Call for Expression of Interest – Activity One provides an opportunity for partners to deliver critical food and nutrition assistance to populations in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria. By addressing displacement, market disruption, and vulnerability, the programme ensures lifesaving support while building household resilience and sustaining livelihoods, directly contributing to food security in crisis-affected regions.