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Nigeria in collaboration with the United Nations, have launched an appeal fund of $306 million to tackle projected food security crisis in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe states during the lean season of May to September.
The appeal fund was launched in Abuja by the Government of Nigeria, national and international partners, with the aim of fast-tracking food assistance to support people in severe need during the period in the three states, heavily affect by 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, in the three states.
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.
A statement on Wednesday by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said "this food crisis, which has been compounded by soaring food prices, is primarily due to continued conflict and insecurity in the 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," he added.
The lean season food security multisector plan is part of the 2024 UN-coordinated Humanitarian Response Plan for Nigeria.
