AfDB contributes $1m to tackle hunger in North-East Nigeria

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has contributed $1 million from its Special Relief Fund to support emergency food response for flood- affected communities in North-Eastern Nigeria.

The support comes at a critical time when humanitarian funding is in short supply as the country faces alarmingly high rates of food insecurity exacerbated by conflict, floods and rising poverty, a joint statement by the Bank and The World Food Programme stated.

The statement noted that WFP would use the contribution, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, to provide emergency food assistance to 120,000 women, men, and children as each household would receive 35kg worth of staple food supply.

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David Stevenson, WFP’s country director in Nigeria, said, “AfDB’s support is timely and comes as a lifeline for those struggling to feed themselves amidst rising food prices and economic turmoil.

“Communities which, after years of conflict and violence, started rebuilding their lives were struck by the floods and once again displaced, meaning more and more people cannot support themselves and their families.”

She said the recent floods of September 2024 exacerbated years of prior displacement, food insecurity and economic hardship, resulting in disastrous consequences, that had pushed hunger levels even higher.

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According to the November 2024 Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis, conducted across 26 States and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, it is projected that 33 million people in Nigeria will face food insecurity by August 2 025.

“I hope that this additional funding will mitigate the suffering of vulnerable people on the brink of acute hunger, at a time when more Nigerians than ever before are in need of humanitarian assistance”, said Abdul Kamara, African Development Bank’s director general in Nigeria. “I commend the Federal Government of Nigeria and WFP for the continuous efforts to operate in such a challenging environment to improve the lives of Nigerian families”, Stevenson added.

This new contribution complements AfDB’s ongoing efforts to restructure activities of the Programme for Integrated Agricultural Development, Adaptation to Climate Change (PIDACC) and the Inclusive Basic Service Delivery and Livelihood Empowerment Program to avail critically needed services in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

As part of the government’s Borno State Development Plan, WFP and partners deliver food and specialised nutrition assistance to one million people in Borno State each month.

“WFP also trains and mentors health facility staff to conduct screenings and manage acute malnutrition among women and children whilst promoting appropriate maternal, infant, and young child nutrition practices”, the statement added

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.