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Paper short abstract:

Crises have led to widespread displacement and a significant deterioration in the health and food security of affected populations. Reliance on humanitarian aid was the most common coping strategy, reflecting the resilience of women caregivers despite constrained resources.

Paper long abstract:

In Borno State, Nigeria, women predominantly shoulder caregiving responsibilities, a role that becomes increasingly burdensome during crises. The region has been severely affected by prolonged conflicts, notably the Boko Haram insurgency, leading to widespread displacement and instability. This paper examines the gendered dimensions of caregiving roles and their impacts on health and food security during crises in Borno State, Nigeria.

The framework of this study focused on understanding the roles of women as caregivers during crises and provided a basis for actionable interventions. The sampling frame consists of households representing varying levels of crisis impact. The sample size was 450 women caregivers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression model, and Pearson correlation model.

Findings revealed that 84.4% of respondents experienced food insecurity, with many skipping meals or reducing portions to cope; also, approximately 73.3% of women caregivers reported irregular or no access to healthcare services, and factors such as displacement, inadequate infrastructure, and cultural norms further constrained access.

Furthermore, the logistic result showed that women aged 30–49 had a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing food insecurity, and, women dedicating over 10 hours daily to caregiving were twice as likely to experience food insecurity, highlighting the trade-offs between caregiving and income-generating activities. Likewise, a strong negative correlation (-0.58, p < 0.01) was found between food insecurity and healthcare access. The study thereby recommends that awareness about nutrition, hygiene, and health-seeking behaviours, targeting women caregivers in IDP camps and host communities should be intensified.