The Northeast of Nigeria is currently facing a severe food security and nutrition crisis, with over 700,000 children at risk of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
In response, the United Nations (UN) has allocated $20 million (N13.2 billion) to address the situation.
Lamenting malnutrition among children, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale, said: “This is more than double the number of SAM cases in 2022 and four times the number of cases in 2021.”
The funds, which will come from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CER) and the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF), will be used to coordinate a multi-sectorial response to support government efforts and prevent further deterioration due to the looming famine conditions in the region caused by conflict.
Schmale further disclosed that over 500,000 people in the insurgency-affected three states have been projected to face emergency levels of food insecurity. According to him, this is a step away from famine, as from June to August is the peak of the lean season, as indicated in the March 2023 Cadre Harmonisé Analysis.
To address these challenges, the UN has disbursed $20 million, with $6 million going to the World Food Programme for food security interventions for 95,000 extremely food-insecure people in three garrison towns of Borno State. The remaining $2 million (N1.32 billion) will go to the UN Children’s Fund for the prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition, including providing ready-to-eat therapeutic food and Tom Brown solutions.
Schmale emphasized the urgency of the situation and the importance of the UN’s efforts in preventing further deterioration. He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the most vulnerable children receive the support they need to survive and thrive. The UN’s efforts aim to address this crisis and ensure that the most vulnerable children in Nigeria receive the support they need to survive and thrive.
The Humanitarian Times 