The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) has pledged a new Country Strategic Plan (CSP) of US$2.56 billion for Nigeria to combat food insecurity and malnutrition, with a focus on the North East and North West regions of the country.
Mr. David Stevenson, the World Food Country Representative, revealed this during a meeting with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian, Disaster Management, and Social Development held in Abuja on Monday.
Stevenson stated that the 5-year program outlines WFP’s comprehensive assistance portfolio for the country from 2023 to 2027. The allocated amount of US$2.56 billion is aimed at supporting Nigeria in achieving
food security and improved nutrition by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 2).
He mentioned, “As food insecurity continues to escalate in Nigeria, it is projected that over 25 million people will face acute hunger during the peak of the June-August 2023 lean season. In Borno, Damawa, and
Yobe states alone, approximately 4.4 million people are expected to experience acute hunger during this year’s lean season. Moreover, in the northeast states alone, an estimated 2 million children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition.”
Stevenson highlighted that humanitarian aid has not kept pace with the rapid rise in hunger levels. Overall, in 2023, WFP aims to provide assistance to approximately 2.1 million vulnerable individuals in Nigeria through food aid, nutrition support, cash payments, and livelihood projects, with the goal of rebuilding the resilience of conflict-affected communities.
In response, Mr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian, Disaster Management, and Social Development, stated that the new five-year plan includes provisions for the WFP to expand its areas of assistance to the North West region and refugees’ camps within Nigeria, in addition to the previously
covered North East.
Sani-Gwarzo emphasized that this new package of assistance will provide much-needed support to vulnerable groups such as widows, people with disabilities, bed-ridden household heads, and displaced
individuals residing in IDP camps, while also fostering resilience in affected communities.