In a bid to alleviate the dire food situation in Nigeria, the government of Ukraine has stepped forward with a substantial donation of 25,000 tonnes of wheat. The emergency food assistance aims to support 1.3 million vulnerable individuals in northeastern Nigeria, where escalating food prices and inflation have exacerbated an already precarious situation.
Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, the Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer at the British High Commission’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, revealed the details of this humanitarian gesture. The donation, provided under the auspices of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), underscores Ukraine’s commitment to addressing the urgent food needs in Nigeria.
The initiative, known as “Grain from Ukraine,” was launched by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Akande-Alegbe highlighted the collaborative effort involved in transporting the grains from Ukraine to Nigeria, with support from various countries including the UK, Canada, Denmark, and others.
The decision to provide this assistance comes at a critical time for Nigeria, where soaring staple food prices have made basic meals unaffordable for millions of vulnerable families across the country. The impact of ongoing conflicts and violence in northeastern Nigeria has further compounded the challenges, disrupting agricultural activities and livelihoods.
Cynthia Rowe, the Development Director at the British High Commission, emphasized the urgency of the situation. She pointed out that staple food prices in several Nigerian markets have surged above pre-harvest levels in recent months, exacerbating food insecurity for vulnerable populations.
The dire circumstances are reflected in projections indicating that 26.5 million people in Nigeria are expected to face acute hunger during the 2024 lean season. The assistance provided by Ukraine through WFP’s intervention is a crucial step towards addressing this pressing issue.
David Stevenson, the WFP Representative and Country Director in Nigeria, expressed gratitude for Ukraine’s contribution. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts in mitigating the suffering and maintaining human dignity in conflict-affected areas.
Stevenson underscored the need for continued support to ensure food and nutrition assistance reaches crisis-affected populations in northeastern and northwestern Nigeria. Urgent funding amounting to US$154 million is required for the next six months to sustain these critical humanitarian efforts.
The generous donation from the Ukraine government signifies a significant step towards alleviating the food crisis in Nigeria. As the country grapples with escalating food prices and widespread food insecurity, international collaboration and support remain essential in addressing the urgent needs of vulnerable populations.
Credit: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Text excluding Headline
