The food and nutrition crisis in Nigeria’s Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states is intensifying ahead of the lean season, with 4.8 million people estimated to face severe food insecurity if immediate action is not taken.
Development Diaries reports that food insecurity, which is being compounded by soaring food prices, is primarily due to continued conflict and insecurity in the states.
We understand that the estimated level of food insecurity being projected is the highest level in seven years, according to the government-led Cadre Harmonisé analysis released in March 2024.
Children, pregnant and lactating women, older persons, and people living with disabilities are among those who are most vulnerable
The prices of staple foods like beans and maize have increased by 300 to 400 percent over the past year due to the government’s end to fuel subsidy payments and the depreciation of the country’s currency, the naira.
Inflation is outpacing the ability of families to cope, making essential food items unaffordable. This is fueling malnutrition rates, as approximately 700,000 children under five are projected to be acutely malnourished over the next six months, including 230,000 who are expected to be severely acutely malnourished and at risk of death.
‘The alarming rise in severe acute malnutrition among children underscores the urgent need for immediate action’, the acting Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, Dr Rownak Khan, said in a statement.
‘This year alone, we have seen around 120,000 admissions for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition with complications, far exceeding our estimated target of 90,000. We must ensure that lifesaving nutrition commodities reach every child in need’.
While the United Nations has announced the release of $11 million from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund to jumpstart emergency response, the Nigerian government must play its part in providing support to those in need.
Development Diaries calls on the National Security Advisor (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and all the security chiefs in the country to work towards improving the security situation in the area.
We also urge Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and his team to urgently address the food inflation crisis, as more Nigerians, especially the vulnerable groups, are being pushed further into severe hunger.
Source: United Nations
Photo source: UNICEF
