The United States has committed an additional $55 million in food security relief for Nigerians as part of President Biden’s recent pledge at the G-7 Leaders Summit in Germany to protect the most vulnerable nations from an escalating global food crisis, according to a statement.
The emergency fund will be administered through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under its agriculture, nutrition, and humanitarian assistance program subject to congressional approval.
Also, the fund will quickly help address the economic, food, and nutrition needs of vulnerable communities in Nigeria most adversely impacted by higher food, fuel, and fertilizer prices.
Mary Beth Leonard, US Ambassador to Nigeria reaffirmed the commitment of the United States and the American people to improving the economic well-being and food security of all Nigerians.
Read also: Rising insecurity deters agricultural investments
“The United States is committed to mitigating the adverse effect of the current global food crisis on the people of Nigeria,” she said in a statement.
“We strongly support Nigeria’s economic prosperity and well-being, and our decades-long partnership with the Nigerian government, the private sector, and the NGO community to address the country’s most urgent development and humanitarian needs.
“We empathize with the hardships and suffering of Nigerian citizens that have been exacerbated as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its negative impact on food security, and we fully expect President Biden’s initiative will significantly soften the blow of these war-related international price shocks,” she said.
With the funding initiative, US total investment internationally in combating the global food security crisis since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will reach over $5.6 billion.
The United States will use every tool available to address the humanitarian and long-term impacts of Russia’s war and other such shocks on global food security and nutrition, the statement said.
