Crisis Response Initiative: Life-Saving Food and Nutrition Assistance in Nigeria

The World Food Programme (WFP) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Activity One, delivering life-saving food and nutrition assistance to vulnerable populations in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria, specifically targeting Yobe State (Geidam, Tarmuwa, and Busari LGAs). The initiative focuses on food assistance, cash transfers, early warning systems, and livelihoods support for populations affected by conflict, displacement, and insecurity.

Programme Overview

The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking partners to implement humanitarian food and nutrition assistance in crisis-affected regions of Northeast and Northwest Nigeria. The initiative targets communities facing acute food insecurity, displacement, and disrupted livelihoods due to prolonged conflict and armed insecurity.

Geographic Focus

• Northeast Nigeria: Yobe State – Cluster B (Geidam, Tarmuwa, and Busari LGAs)

• Northwest Nigeria: Areas affected by armed banditry and kidnappings, leading to displacement and disrupted markets

Target Beneficiaries

• Internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps

• Vulnerable agrarian communities with restricted access to farmland

• Households impacted by high inflation, rising fuel and food prices, and increased agricultural input costs

Key Priorities

The EOI addresses both immediate humanitarian needs and underlying causes of vulnerability. WFP priorities include:

1. Food Assistance:

   • Life-saving food rations to vulnerable populations

   • Support for household food security and nutrition

2. Cash-Based Assistance:

   • Cash transfers to improve household purchasing power

   • Support for local market recovery and livelihoods

3. Early Warning and Early Action:

   • Monitoring and reporting of food security risks

   • Timely interventions to prevent escalation of hunger

4. Livelihood Support:

   • Assistance to maintain household livelihoods

   • Support for agricultural productivity despite restricted farmland access

Context of the Crisis

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

  • Widespread displacement

  • Damage to infrastructure

  • Limited access to social services

  • Disruption of markets and livelihoods

• Northwest Nigeria: Insecurity from banditry and kidnappings has:

  • Displaced communities

  • Disrupted livelihoods and market systems

  • Exacerbated food insecurity

• Drivers of food insecurity: Insecurity, inflation, rising food and fuel prices, and increased agricultural input costs

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 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 WFP-provided templates for all documents

• Address focus areas and priorities clearly

• 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 vulnerable populations

• Strengthens household and community resilience in conflict-affected regions

• Supports early warning and early action systems to prevent hunger crises

• Targets displaced and highly 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. Assessment: WFP evaluates submissions based on capacity, relevance, and feasibility

4. Partner Selection: Selected 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 locations

• Include gender-sensitive and vulnerable population-focused interventions

• Align activities with WFP standards for food security and nutrition

• 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-affected 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 B (Geidam, Tarmuwa, and Busari 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 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 offers an opportunity to deliver critical food and nutrition assistance to populations in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria. By addressing displacement, market disruption, and vulnerability, the initiative provides lifesaving support while strengthening household resilience and sustaining livelihoods, contributing to long-term food security in crisis-affected regions.