Nigeria and UN seek US$306 million to address emergency food and nutrition crisis – Nigeria

May 14, 2024

For immediate release
press release

Abuja, May 14, 2024 – In response to this Leeds season* (May to September), where the food security and nutrition crisis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States (BAY) is worsening, the Nigerian government and domestic and international partners today announced We have launched an appeal seeking US$306 million to address the issue. Food assistance, nutritional supplies and services, clean water, medical care and protection assistance to people in critical need during this period.

Approximately 4.8 million people in the Bay State are estimated to face severe food insecurity, the highest level in seven years, according to a government-led executive harmonized analysis released in March. ing. Children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, the elderly and people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable. The appeal is a multi-sectoral plan for low-season food security and nutrition crises, targeting 2.8 million of these people for emergency intervention.

This food and nutrition crisis, exacerbated by soaring food prices, is largely due to ongoing conflict and insecurity in Bay State, as well as the effects of climate change. Without immediate and coordinated intervention, the situation could be catastrophic. Prices of staple foods such as beans and maize have increased by 300 to 400 percent in the past year due to the removal of fuel subsidies and the depreciation of the naira. Inflation is outpacing families’ ability to cope, leaving them unable to afford essentials.

Malnutrition rates are a major concern. Approximately 700,000 children under the age of five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition over the next six months, of which 230,000 will suffer from severe acute malnutrition and will need timely treatment and nutritional support. They are expected to be at risk of death.

Zubaydah Umar, Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, said at the launch of the plan: “The mobilization of funds and resources to address the food security and nutrition crisis during this low season, which is envisaged in the northeastern part of the country, is particularly important because of the complications associated with malnutrition, negative coping mechanisms. Adoption of this is a step in the right direction to complement the federal government’s efforts to prevent people from dying as a result of other health-related problems.”

Announcing $11 million from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund to jump-start the emergency response, UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Malik Fall said: What we need now is resources. Let’s join hands and pool our resources to save lives and stop suffering. ”

“UNICEF is deeply concerned about the escalating food security and nutrition crisis in the Bay State. The alarming increase in severe acute malnutrition among children highlights the urgent need for immediate action. Approximately 120,000 people have been hospitalized for critical care this year alone. We must ensure that life-saving nutritional supplies reach all children who need them. This is not just a call to action, but a race against time to save millions of lives and protect the future of vulnerable children,” said Rownaku, UNICEF Acting Representative in Nigeria. Dr. Khan said.

Underscoring the need for immediate action to achieve long-term results, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Interim Representative in Nigeria, Dominic Kofi-Kuaku, said: “Given the urgent situation, there are no short-term, medium-term Urgent intervention is needed to support the – Long-term needs of vulnerable people. Therefore, focus on building resilience supported by emergency agriculture, including seeds, fertilizers, livestock, technical training, and developing agribusiness for better production and better nutrition. need to guess. ”

World Food Program (WFP) Country Director David Stevenson said: “We need to move out of conflict and seek solutions, and those solutions are peace and production. Meanwhile, conflict remains in the Northeast.” We need our collective emergency support. We can provide nutritious food by providing cash-based transfers, special nutritious food and supporting local food solutions. We prioritize access to

As the low season coincides with the rainy season, efforts are being made to improve access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, especially among the more than 2 million internally displaced people living in encampments and encampments, to combat the spread of infectious diseases. A collective effort is required. Overcrowded settlements in the Bay State. This is critical to breaking the cycle of life-threatening disease and malnutrition in young children and other vulnerable populations.

Alongside life-saving efforts, we must also strengthen people’s resilience by supporting agricultural livelihoods, which support more than 80 percent of vulnerable people across the Bay State. Limited funding for agricultural livelihoods perpetuates cyclical food insecurity.

This is the fourth time the United Nations and humanitarian partners have launched an operational plan for Gulf countries that highlights the need to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition. This includes, but is not limited to, advancing peacebuilding efforts, improving access to essential health services, supporting food production systems, strengthening social protection services, and mitigating the shocks of climate change. not.

The Lean Season Food Security and Nutrition Crisis Multi-Sector Plan is part of the United Nations-coordinated Nigeria Humanitarian Response Plan 2024.end

Notes to editors: * Countries in the Sahel region each year face a difficult ‘off-season’ period between planting and harvest. During this period, food supplies are scarce, pasture for livestock is scarce, and households rely on different coping strategies to meet their food needs.

Media contact:

OCHA: Ann Weru – weru@un.org +234 703 852 2706
UNICEF: Rajat Madhok – rmadhok@unicef.org +234 913 938 6884
WFP: Chi.Lael – Chi.Lael@wfp.org +234 802 553 3218
FAO: David Tsokar – david.tsokar@fao.org +234 806 616 2876