The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a
donation of 5,000 metric tons of rice from the Government of Nigeria. This will
help feed nearly half-a-million internally displaced people in the
conflict-ravaged northeast of the country, where the threat of famine endures.
WFP has already begun moving the first batch of donated rice
– and expects a further2,000 metric tons of millet pledged by the Nigerian
authorities.
“As a responsible government, the Federal Government of
Nigeria, in recognition of the efforts of humanitarian actors and the need to
ensure food security for the people affected by insurgency in the north east,
has not only approved the distribution of 35,905 metric tons of grains to the
people, but has also approved the release of 5,000 metric tons of rice for
distribution by World Food Programme (WFP) in some communities affected by
insurgency,” said Mustapha YunusaMaihaja, Director General of
Nigeria’semergency relief agency, NEMA.
Since launching operations last year, WFP has rapidly
expanded its offer of food, nutrition and cash to reach more than a million
people a month. Having overcome a funding challenge, it has nowset its target
at 1.36 millionpeople during the current pre-harvest lean season, the hungriest
time of the year.
“This donation once again testifies to the quality of
relations between WFP and Nigeria,” said Ronald Sibanda, WFP’sinterim Country
Director. “Our partnership with the Government’s specialized emergency
agencies, both at the federal and state level, have been crucial in allowing us
to assist those who need it most.”
As part of a US$100 million contribution to WFP’s Nigeria
response, the United States will cover the associated costs of getting the
donated rice to those displaced in the hardest-hit states of Adamawa, Borno and
Yobe.
Nigeria’s crisis has spilled over borders, leaving millions
in the broader Lake Chad Basin region uncertain of where their meal is coming
from. Experts have warned that without sufficient and timely humanitarian
assistance, northeast Nigeria risks tipping into famine.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting
hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with
communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists
some 80 million people in around 80 countries.
0 comments:
Post a Comment