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Nigeria and UN Launch US$306 million Appeal Fund to Tackle Urgent Food and Nutrition Crisis in Northeast
Nigeria and UN Launch US$306 million Appeal Fund to Tackle Urgent Food and Nutrition Crisis in Northeast
By: Michael Mike
An appeal for US$306 million has been launched to tackle projected food security and nutrition crisis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states during the lean season of May to September.
The appeal was launched on Tuesday in Abuja by the Government of Nigeria, national and international partners, with the aim of fast-tracking food assistance, nutrition supplies and services, clean water, healthcare, and protection support to people in severe need during the period in the three states that were heavily impacted by the over a decade Boko Haram crisis.
According to the Government-led Cadre Harmonisé analysis released in March this year, some 4.8 million people are estimated to be facing severe food insecurity, the highest levels in seven years in the BAY states,
The report specified that children, pregnant and lactating women, older persons, and people living with disabilities are among those who are most vulnerable.
The appeal launched on Tuesday is expected to at least provide urgent succour to 2.8 million and make them insusceptible to the lean season food insecurity and nutrition crisis with a multi sectoral plan put in place.
A statement on Tuesday by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said this food and nutrition crisis, which has been compounded by soaring food prices, is primarily due to continued conflict and insecurity in the BAY states, alongside climate change impacts. It threatens to become catastrophic without immediate and coordinated intervention. The prices of staple foods like beans and maize have increased by 300 to 400 per cent over the past year following the removal of the fuel subsidy and the depreciation of the naira. Inflation is outpacing the ability of families to cope, making essential food items unaffordable.
It added that malnutrition rates are of great concern. Approximately 700,000 children under five are projected to be acutely malnourished over the next six months, including 230,000 who are expected to be severely acutely malnourished and at risk of death if they do not receive timely treatment and nutrition support.
Speaking at the launch of the plan, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar said: “The mobilization of funding and resources to address this lean season food security and nutrition crisis envisaged in the north-eastern part of the country is a step in the right direction in complementing the Federal Government’s efforts to prevent the deaths of people as a result of malnutrition-related complications, adoption of negative coping mechanisms and other health related issues among others.”
Announcing the release of $11 million from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund to jumpstart the emergency response, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Malick Fall, said, “I am confident that we have the capacity to address these increased needs in support of Government efforts, what we need now are resources. Joining hands together, pooling resources, to save lives and stop the suffering”.
The Acting Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, Dr Rownak Khan, on his part, said: “UNICEF is deeply concerned about the escalating food security and nutrition crisis in the BAY states. The alarming rise in severe acute malnutrition among children underscores the urgent need for immediate action. This year alone, we have seen around 120,000 admissions for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition with complications, far exceeding our estimated target of 90,000. We must ensure that lifesaving nutrition commodities reach every child in need. This is not just a call to action; it is a race against time to save lives and protect the future of millions of vulnerable children,”
While highlighting that immediate actions need to be taken for longer term results, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative ad interim in Nigeria, Dominique Koffy Kouacou, said, “given the urgent situation, urgent interventions are required to support short-, medium- and long-term needs of vulnerable populations. The focus therefore needs to be on building resilience supported by emergency agriculture, including seeds, fertilizer, livestock and technical training, and developing agribusiness for better production and better nutrition”.
The World Food Programme (WFP) Country Director, David Stevenson, said: “We need to get out of conflict into solutions, and the solution is peace and production. Meanwhile, there remains a conflict in the north-east that requires our collective urgent assistance. We are prioritizing access to nutritious foods by providing cash-based transfers, specialized nutritious foods, and by supporting local food solutions.”
The statement by OCHA noted that with the lean season coinciding with the rainy season, there is a need for collective efforts to improve access to drinking water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene to combat the spread of infectious diseases, particularly among the more than 2 million internally displaced persons in camps and overcrowded settlements in the BAY states. This is crucial to help break the vicious cycle of disease and malnutrition that threatens the lives of young children and other vulnerable people.
It further said alongside efforts to protect lives, there is also a need to strengthen people’s resilience by supporting agricultural livelihoods which sustain over 80 per cent of the vulnerable people across the BAY states. Limited funding for agricultural livelihoods continues to perpetuate cyclical food insecurity.
It recalled that this is the fourth time that the UN and humanitarian partners are launching an operational plan for the BAY states pointing to the need to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition. This includes but is not limited to advancing peace-building efforts, improving access to essential health care services, supporting food production systems, enhancing social protection services, and mitigating climate change shocks.
The lean season food security and nutrition crisis multisector plan is part of the 2024 UN-coordinated Humanitarian Response Plan for Nigeria.
Every year, countries in the Sahel face a difficult “lean season” period between planting and harvesting. During this time, food supplies are low, pasture for livestock is scarce, and households rely on various coping strategies to meet their food needs.
Nigeria and UN Launch US$306 million Appeal Fund to Tackle Urgent Food and Nutrition Crisis in Northeast
At Umrah, VP Shettima Prays for Nigeria’s Peace, Stability
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima has performed the lesser hajj (Umrah) at the Holy Mosque of Makkah (Masjid al-Haram) in Saudi Arabia.
The Vice President offered prayers for Nigeria’s peace and stability during the spiritual exercise.
Speaking on Wednesday at the holy site in Makkah, VP Shettima beseeched God’s guidance and intervention for the nation’s leadership and citizenry.
“Our prayer is for peace to prevail in our land. May Allah grant our land peace and social harmony,” the Vice President said.
He also sought divine attributes for Nigeria’s leaders praying, “May Allah grant our leaders, from the President down to our local councillors wisdom , patience and the generosity of Muhammad Rasulullah in all their dealings”.
The Vice President continued his supplications: “May Allah grant us the wisdom to rule our nation well and to govern our people well.”
“Let there be peace, tranquility and prosperity in our nation. This is our prayer and Insha’ Allah, our prayers will be answered by Allah.”
Meanwhile, the Vice President’s scheduled bilateral meeting with the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in Jeddah has been rescheduled for a later date. He is expected to return to Nigeria tomorrow.
The Vice President had flown to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the commissioning of a $315 million oil production and storage facility owned by Oriental Energy Limited (OERL).
At Umrah, VP Shettima Prays for Nigeria’s Peace, Stability
News
UNHCR Boosts IDP Empowerment with Donation of Soap-Making Machines and Office Furniture to Borno State Ministry of Education
UNHCR Boosts IDP Empowerment with Donation of Soap-Making Machines and Office Furniture to Borno State Ministry of Education
By: Our Reporter
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has donated soap-making machines and office furniture to the Borno State Government as part of its efforts to empower Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through vocational training and livelihood support.
The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, received the items during an official handover ceremony at the UNHCR Sub-Office in Maiduguri.
The donation, which includes two sets of soap-making machines equipped with mixers, crushers, driers, extruders, and tables, as well as 30 chairs and office furniture to replace items damaged by recent floods, reflects UNHCR’s commitment to supporting sustainable development in crisis-affected areas.
Speaking during the event, the Head of the UNHCR Sub-Office in Maiduguri, Nicholas Kaburaburyo, emphasized the organization’s dedication to strengthening partnerships with the government and the Ministry of Education. He highlighted UNHCR’s role in facilitating the repatriation, resettlement, and livelihood reintegration of returnees, particularly through vocational training programs.
Engr. Wakilbe commended UNHCR for its unwavering support, noting that the donation aligns with the state government’s resettlement and empowerment initiatives. He revealed that nine Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers in Borno are actively training IDPs, with the vision of transforming the state into a hub for skilled artisans.
The Commissioner also directed the Director of Science and Technology to commence training for master trainers at the Borno State Vocational Enterprise Institute (BOSVEI) in Muna, with the goal of launching the IDP training program by January 2025.
Zakaria Ahmed, Coordinator of BOSVEI Muna, and Ali Musa, Director of Administration and Supplies in the Ministry of Education, expressed their gratitude to UNHCR. They acknowledged that the donation would significantly enhance vocational training opportunities for IDPs and improve working conditions within the ministry.
This initiative underscores UNHCR’s commitment to providing humanitarian assistance and fostering sustainable development in Borno State. Through such efforts, the organization continues to make a tangible difference in the lives of those most affected by conflict and disaster.
UNHCR Boosts IDP Empowerment with Donation of Soap-Making Machines and Office Furniture to Borno State Ministry of Education
CP Plateau engage stakeholders in Bokkos council area to address recent threats to the peace
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, recently visited Bokkos council Area to engage with stakeholders, discuss peace building strategies and find possible ways to eliminate all threats to peace and security in the area.
The meeting which was attended by council Chairman, Amalau Samuel and his Management Team, as well as Community/Religious Leaders, Youth/Women Leaders, and Security Help Groups arrived at silent resolutions for the peace to remain intact during the yuletide period.
A statement from the police spokesman Alfred Alabo stated that during the meeting, discussions focused on salient issues such as the incessant attacks, farmer/herder clashes, and cattle/animal rustling in the council area.
The release noted that the stakeholders expressed their concerns over the rising levels of insecurity within the area even as they pleaded with the Commissioner of Police to help them ensure peace and calmness within the area.
The stake holders also pledged their support and cooperation to the Police in their efforts to enhance security and ensure the safety of residents in Bokkos area.
“They also agreed to work together through intelligence sharing, to identify and address the root causes of the security challenges facing some communities in the LGA.
“CP Adesina assured the stakeholders of his Command’s commitment to addressing the security challenges in Bokkos council area emphasizing the need for collaboration and information sharing between the Police and the community, to effectively combat crime and maintain peace in the area.
“He further assured them that efforts are being made to deploy additional manpower and logistics to major flashpoints within the area, to forestall any future threats.
“Chairman, Amalau Samuel while responding thanked the CP for his unflinching commitment towards attending to their needs and ensuring that Bokkos council area is peaceful and safe for all to live in.
“He assured the CP that the council Area under his watch will continue to support the Police, untill all criminal elements are flushed out.
“The chair warned all those who intend to cause mayhem especially during this festive period, to desist from such plans, as his administration will not fold it’s hand and watch them destroy the fragile peace currently being enjoyed.
“The Plateau State Police Command remains dedicated to its mandate of protecting lives and property in the state.” Noted the release.
CP Plateau engage stakeholders in Bokkos council area to address recent threats to the peace
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UNHCR Boosts IDP Empowerment with Donation of Soap-Making Machines and Office Furniture to Borno State Ministry of Education
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