INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
The protracted armed conflict in Nigeria's Northeast, particularly in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states, has caused unprecedented humanitarian and protection crises in the region, forcing millions of women, men, and children into survival mode. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the humanitarian situation in the northeast of Nigeria, according to statistics. 59% of the 8.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in the BAY states are female; 55% of the 2.2 million IDPs are female; and the same pattern holds true for returnees (54% female), host communities (52% female), and inaccessible populations (52% female). Multiple studies have confirmed that these gendered aspects of the conflict are deeply rooted in discriminatory and unequal social norms, gender inequality, and stereotypes.

THE PURPOSE
The purpose of the IGA study was to understand the specific vulnerabilities, needs, capacities, and coping strategies of IDPs, refugees, returnees and host communities (women, girls, boys, and men) in the conflict-affected states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa in North East Nigeria; and to develop actionable recommendations for the various humanitarian response sectors.