Nearly 35 million people in Nigeria could face severe hunger by the middle of next year, according to projections by the United Nations — one of the highest numbers ever forecast in the country and a major increase from the 27 million experiencing it today.

Widespread violence — including banditry and terrorism — is largely driving the crisis, according to a report released by the U.N. World Food Program on Tuesday.

Humanitarian aid is also drying up, as major donors, including the United States, have significantly cut foreign assistance, which provides food support to millions of people in Nigeria.

The new projections come as Nigeria faces a wave of mass kidnappings that is spreading fear and pushing more people into extreme hunger.

More than 250 children — including many thought to be as young as 5 to 7 — and 12 staff members remain missing after they were abducted from a Catholic school in Niger state on Friday, according to local church officials.

On Tuesday, 24 girls kidnapped last week from a school in the state of Kebbi were freed, according to a teacher who filmed the students on a minibus driving them to meet government officials after their release.

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