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The Multi-Sector Needs Assessment (MSNA) conducted between September and December 2024 provides critical insights into the humanitarian situation in Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Bokkos, Mangu, and Riyom Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria. The assessment was led by Crest Research and Development Institute (CRADI) with support from its partners Safer World Foundation (SWF), Women and Children in Support of Community Development Initiative (WOCCI Nigeria), Dialogue Reconciliation and Peace Centre (DREP) Centre, University of Jos, Centre for Conflict Management and Peace Studies (CECOMPS) and, Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (PLASEMA). Given the protracted conflict and displacement affecting these regions, this study sought to assess vulnerabilities, identify urgent needs, and provide actionable recommendations for stakeholders.

A Rigorous Process for High-Quality Insights: Our MSNA followed a systematic and participatory approach to ensure credibility and relevance. The key stages included:

1. Study Design: We employed a participatory action research approach that integrated the voices of diverse stakeholders comprising community leaders, youth leaders, security  outfits, government institutions, national and international NGOs and religious leaders who served as evaluation advisory group (EAG). This group co created and validated the assessment proposal, methodology and tools. Particularly a mixed-methods approach combining household surveys, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) was deployed. This ensured that we captured both quantitative trends and qualitative experiences.
2. Data Collection: A total of 817 households were successfully surveyed, achieving a 98.9% response rate out of a 826 target. In addition, 90 KIIs and 24 FGDs were conducted to gather in-depth qualitative insights from diverse stakeholders. The minor shortfall in the target sample was due to security and access challenges, particularly in Mangu and Riyom. Despite these limitations, the final sample remained representative and reliable for assessing the needs and challenges of the conflict-affected areas.
3. Analysis and Reporting: Data analysis utilized SPSS and Microsoft Excel to identify meaningful trends through descriptive and inferential statistics. A multidisciplinary team of specialists across various sectors played a crucial role in drafting different components of the report, ensuring a comprehensive and well-rounded analysis. While a multi-layered approach was applied to review the findings in a way that ensures conflict sensitivity, do no harm and inclusivity.
4. Validation Workshop: Following the internal review of the draft by technical team members of the partner organizations, we held a Validation Workshop for the MSNA on the 3rd of December 2024, bringing together a dynamic mix of 32 experts and stakeholders. The workshop served as a platform for robust discussions, with participants offering invaluable insights that shaped the revision and production of a final report. It was truly inspiring to see such dedication and collaboration aimed at fostering sustainable interventions.
5. Final Revision: A draft copy of the report was made available via an open access google document to receive comments from a wider range of stakeholders across the state especially those who could not attend the validation workshop. These comments and insights from the validation workshop were incorporated to strengthen the report’s accuracy and relevance.
6. Dissemination Workshop: A dissemination workshop for the findings of the report was  held on the 27th of February 2025 targeting government actors, implementing partners and community stakeholders across the state and the research target communities . This event marks a critical step in translating insights into action for sustainable community development.

Key Findings: What You Need to Know

The assessment highlighted several critical humanitarian concerns across the surveyed LGAs:

• Security and Governance: The ongoing conflict has significantly weakened security and governance structures, leading to a pervasive sense of insecurity among the population. In Riyom LGA, 8% of households reported experiencing some form of violence, while high levels of insecurity were also reported in Bassa and Bokkos. In Barkin Ladi, 47.3% of households reported experiencing violence, including physical assaults, property damage, and displacement. Local protection efforts have been insufficient to address the scale of violence. Similarly, in Mangu, 52.7% of households have been affected by violence, with many families forced to flee due to ongoing conflict. Both LGAs have seen significant disruption to local governance structures, with traditional mechanisms for conflict resolution no longer effective. Communities have resorted to forming vigilante groups for protection, but these efforts remain inadequate to address the scale of violence and insecurity.

Food Security and Livelihoods: Disruptions in agricultural activities have led to food insecurity, with 96.8% of households in Mangu reporting destruction of food stocks, and 94.7% of households in Bassa experienced similar losses. In Riyom, 72.1% of households reported the destruction of food stocks, and 63.4% of households experienced poor food consumption scores. Similarly, in Barkin Ladi, 52.7% of households reported significant losses of food stocks due to the conflict, with 45.5% of households facing poor food consumption. In Bokkos, 38.4% of households experienced food stock destruction, and 41.3% reported poor food consumption. The widespread loss of agricultural produce, theft of livestock, and market disruptions have exacerbated food insecurity, leading to the adoption of negative coping strategies, such as selling assets and reducing meal frequency. In Mangu, 47.0% of households reported poor food consumption scores. Negative coping strategies, such as reducing meal frequency and selling essential assets, are widespread.

• Health and WASH: Limited access to healthcare facilities, shortage of medical supplies, and lack of clean water are major concerns. In Bassa, only 31.1% of households reported access to a functioning health facility, and WASH-related diseases are on the rise. In Bassa, only 1% of households reported having access to a functioning health facility, while 93.5% of households in Riyom reported access to healthcare. WASH services have been equally disrupted, particularly in Riyom and Mangu, where 57.9% and 48% of households, respectively, reported difficulties accessing clean water. In Barkin Ladi, 52.7% of households reported difficulties accessing healthcare, with many health facilities either damaged or understaffed. Access to clean water has also been a significant challenge, with 26.0% of households facing difficulties in obtaining safe water. This has led to increased reliance on unsafe water sources, heightening the risk of waterborne diseases. Malnutrition, particularly among children, has become a pressing issue in Mangu and Bokkos, where cases of acute malnutrition have been reported.
• Protection and Human Rights: Women and children face heightened risks of gender-based violence, early marriage, and child labor. In Bassa, 3% of respondents reported concerns about sexual violence. In Riyom, 50.1% of households reported concerns about sexual violence, with women and girls being particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Early marriage and child labor are also on the rise, as families face increasing economic hardship. In Barkin Ladi, 47.3% of households expressed similar concerns, with displacement and lack of resources exacerbating vulnerabilities. In Mangu, 4.3% of households reported sexual violence as a significant issue, while Bokkos reported 38.3% of households facing protection risks, including physical violence and displacement. Mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and trauma, are widespread, particularly among children and the elderly in these areas. While some protection services exist, significant gaps remain in access to legal aid, psychosocial support, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) services. Early marriage and child labor have also increased as families struggle to cope with the economic fallout of the conflict. While some protection services are in place, significant gaps remain, particularly in access to legal, psychosocial, and GBV support.
• Education: Conflict has damaged school infrastructure, forcing many children out of school. In Bokkos, 41.3% of schools have been damaged, and in Mangu, 81.3% of households reported significant disruptions in education services. The situation in Riyom is equally dire, with 6% of children no longer attending school due to insecurity, displacement, and financial barriers. In Barkin Ladi, 27.5% of schools have been damaged or destroyed, with significant disruptions to educational services, affecting 52.7% of children. In Bassa, 35.2% of schools have been damaged, and 41.3% of children are no longer attending school due to insecurity, displacement, and financial difficulties. Overcrowded classrooms, a lack of qualified teachers, and inadequate learning materials are common across both areas, further compromising the quality of education. Many families, particularly those headed by women, face financial barriers to education, contributing to the rising dropout rates and further limiting educational opportunities.

Turning Insights into Action: The Potential of the Report

The MSNA findings serve as a roadmap for policymakers, donors, and humanitarian organizations to prioritize interventions effectively. The recommendations focus on:

• Strengthening security and governance structures to restore stability.
• Scaling up food assistance and livelihood recovery programs.
• Rehabilitating healthcare facilities and improving access to clean water.
• Enhancing protection services, especially for women and children.
• Investing in education recovery, including school reconstruction and teacher support.

Join Us in Implementing Solutions

We invite humanitarian organizations, development partners, and government agencies to engage with the findings of this report and integrate them into strategic response plans. Your participation is vital in driving meaningful, evidence-based change for displaced and conflict-affected populations in Plateau State. Together, we can build a resilient and empowered community where no one is left behind.

Read the full report here (make this a large button with the link, give me a counter to track clicks and display the counter below the button, add a share button and its own counter too)

The datasets from this study are available for those interested in conducting deeper analysis and informing targeted interventions. Send an email to research@cradil.org with the Subject “Plateau 2024 MSNA data access”.