News in Brief:
– A donation of 25,000 tons of wheat from Ukraine has arrived in Nigeria through the World Food Programme (WFP) to aid 1.3 million people facing food insecurity in the northeastern parts of the country.
– The organisation is urging for collective action to restore peace, stabilise markets, and invest in agriculture to achieve long-term food security.
A 25,000-ton shipment of wheat from Ukraine, facilitated by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), has arrived in Nigeria. This shipment aims to provide emergency food assistance to 1.3 million people in the crisis-stricken northeast region.
This donation, part of Kyiv’s Grain from Ukraine initiative, comes as rising food prices threaten basic food security for millions of vulnerable Nigerians. The WFP, along with international partners, covered the transportation and distribution costs to ensure the wheat reaches those most in need.
Also, WFPâs Nigeria representative, David Stevenson, stated that collaborative effort plays a crucial role in alleviating suffering and maintaining human dignity.
He noted the urgency of addressing the situation, citing conflict-driven displacement, disrupted agricultural production, and rising staple food prices as key contributors to the crisis.
Emergency aid and sustainable food systems
Meantime, the WFP estimates 26.5 million Nigerians face acute hunger during the upcoming lean season, and the organisation remains committed to supporting long-term solutions. Its Out of Conflict into Solutions approach combines emergency assistance with efforts to rebuild livelihoods and strengthen food systems through local food purchases, cash transfers, and climate change adaptation initiatives.
Furthermore, Stevenson highlighted the need for collective action to address the root causes of food insecurity like restoring peace, stabilising markets, and promoting investment in the agricultural sector.
Finally, he stressed the importance of collaboration with the Nigerian government, private sector partners, and international donors. He said this will help to ensure sustained support for the population in the northeast and northwest regions. The WFP is currently appealing for $154 million to cover food and nutrition assistance needs in these areas over the next six months.
