Multi-sectoral Needs Assessment, Benue State, Nigeria, April 2024

A multi-sectoral Needs Assessment (MSNA) was conducted in Benue State, Nigeria to understand the needs of those who were affected by the humanitarian crisis in the State. Save the Children and Plan International, along with other humanitarian organizations, led the MSNA. The assessment collected data from 3,659 households using a mixed methods approach, including quantitative household-level data and in-depth interviews with key informants. Key findings indicate that the top priority needs of the households are food (63%), education (44.1%), health (43.2%), and water (41.8%). Additionally, over three-quarters (82.7%) of school-age children are attending either formal or non-formal school. About a quarter of the assessed households were facing severe food insecurity. The primary issue affecting people’s safety across all communities was the Farmers-Herders crisis (68.9%). The Average Reduced Coping Strategy Index (rCSI) score of 20.7 suggested that households frequently resort to coping strategies to meet their food needs. The most reported primary source of water for drinking and cooking was surface water (27%), and 72% of the respondents indicated that they have access to a health facility.