Abuja, May 14, 2024 – Against the backdrop of a deepening food security and nutrition crisis in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states during the lean season from May to September, the Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with national and international partners, has initiated a comprehensive appeal for $306 million. The aim is to expedite the delivery of vital food assistance, nutrition supplies and services, clean water, healthcare, and protection support to individuals facing severe deprivation in the region.
According to the Government-led Cadre Harmonisé analysis released in March this year, an estimated 4.8 million people in the BAY states are grappling with severe food insecurity, marking the highest levels recorded in seven years. Among the most vulnerable are children, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, and individuals living with disabilities. The multifaceted appeal, titled the “lean season food security and nutrition crisis multisector plan,” aims to reach 2.8 million of these individuals with urgent interventions.
The crisis, exacerbated by soaring food prices, is primarily attributed to ongoing conflict and insecurity in the BAY states, compounded by the impacts of climate change. Staple food prices such as beans and maize have surged by 300 to 400 percent over the past year, driven by the removal of fuel subsidies and currency depreciation. Escalating inflation has outpaced families’ coping mechanisms, rendering essential food items increasingly unaffordable.
Of grave concern are the alarming malnutrition rates, with approximately 700,000 children under five anticipated to suffer from acute malnutrition in the next six months. Among them, 230,000 are at risk of severe acute malnutrition, posing a direct threat to their lives without timely intervention and adequate nutritional support.
Zubaida Umar, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, emphasized the critical importance of mobilizing funding and resources to avert malnutrition-related fatalities and associated health crises in the northeastern region. The launch of the emergency response plan aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and mitigating the adverse impacts of food insecurity.
Mohamed Malick Fall, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, announced the release of $11 million from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund to kickstart emergency relief efforts. Fall underscored the urgency of collaborative action and resource mobilization to alleviate the escalating humanitarian needs in tandem with government-led initiatives.
UNICEF Nigeria’s Acting Representative, Dr. Rownak Khan, echoed deep concerns over the burgeoning food security and nutrition crisis, particularly the surge in severe acute malnutrition among children. Urgent action, she emphasized, is imperative to ensure the timely delivery of life-saving nutrition interventions to every vulnerable child in need.
Dominique Koffy Kouacou, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative ad interim in Nigeria, stressed the need for immediate interventions to address short-, medium-, and long-term needs of vulnerable populations. Emphasizing the significance of resilience-building measures, Kouacou advocated for emergency agricultural support and sustainable livelihood initiatives to bolster food production and nutritional outcomes.
David Stevenson, Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), underscored the imperative of transitioning from conflict to sustainable solutions, emphasizing the pivotal role of peace and production in addressing humanitarian crises. WFP’s interventions prioritize access to nutritious foods through cash-based transfers and specialized nutrition provisions, alongside support for local food systems.
As the lean season coincides with the onset of the rainy season, collective efforts are underway to enhance access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices. This is particularly critical for over 2 million internally displaced persons residing in camps and congested settlements across the BAY states, aiming to break the cycle of disease and malnutrition endangering vulnerable populations.
In addition to immediate life-saving interventions, there is a pressing need to bolster agricultural livelihoods, which sustain a majority of vulnerable communities in the BAY states. Limited funding for agricultural initiatives perpetuates cyclical food insecurity, emphasizing the importance of sustained support for long-term resilience-building efforts.
This marks the fourth iteration of the operational plan launched by the UN and humanitarian partners for the BAY states, underscoring the imperative of addressing underlying causes of hunger and malnutrition. Key interventions include advancing peace-building initiatives, enhancing access to essential healthcare services, supporting food production systems, strengthening social protection mechanisms, and mitigating the impacts of climate change shocks.
The lean season food security and nutrition crisis multisector plan forms an integral component of the 2024 UN-coordinated Humanitarian Response Plan for Nigeria, reflecting concerted efforts to address pressing humanitarian needs and safeguard the well-being of vulnerable populations.