Over one million Nigerians face hunger due to funding shortages

Reduction in Food Aid in Northeastern Nigeria

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced a significant reduction in food aid to northeastern Nigeria due to a critical lack of funding. This decision will affect over a million vulnerable individuals within the coming weeks. The WFP will be scaling back its assistance to reach only 72,000 people in February, compared to the 1.3 million individuals supported during the previous year's lean season.

The agency has reported that its resources have been depleted, endangering a critical support system that has served nearly two million people annually in the region since 2015.

Nigeria is experiencing an unprecedented hunger crisis, with an estimated 35 million people projected to face severe hunger this year. This represents the highest number recorded by the WFP in the country. The crisis is exacerbated by escalating violence, which has led to the displacement of 3.5 million people, destruction of food supplies, and disruption of farming activities. Recent incidents include coordinated attacks, such as the kidnapping of over 150 worshippers from churches.

The situation is worsened by reductions in international food aid, particularly due to cuts in U.N. assistance following reductions in U.S. funding to USAID. This has increased food insecurity in Nigeria and other nations, forcing the WFP to limit nutrition programs across West and Central Africa since July. According to Country Director David Stevenson, the suspension of aid will have severe humanitarian, security, and economic consequences for millions of displaced and starving individuals.

Based on reporting by Africanews.