UN Report Warns of Rising Food Insecurity in Nigeria, 17 Other Countries

According to a recent United Nations (UN) report, the severity of food insecurity is projected to worsen in 18 countries worldwide, including Nigeria, painting a grim picture of the global food crisis.

The report, published on Wednesday, underlined the crucial role of food security in averting famine in Gaza and Sudan, with the situation worsening in hunger-stricken areas like Haiti, Mali, and South Sudan.

It also highlighted the lingering impact of many “hunger hotspots” in Africa, and with the persistent presence of famine in Gaza and Sudan, where conflict continues to rage, fuelling the regional risk of new hunger emergencies, warned the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

No less than 18 crisis locations already suffering from dire food insecurity could see a “firestorm of hunger” unless aid reaches them urgently, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday.

The joint early warning report from WFP and FAO emphasised that conflicts remain one of the main drivers of food insecurity, but climate shocks are also responsible.

Furthermore, the report warns that 2023 is likely to mark the first year since 2010 in which humanitarian funding has declined compared to the previous year.

However, it still represents the second-highest funding level ever for humanitarian assistance.

The daunting prospects highlighted in this report should serve as a wake-up call to all of us. We must spearhead the shift from responding to crises after they occur to more proactive anticipatory approaches, prevention and resilience building to help vulnerable communities cope with upcoming shocks. Acting ahead of crises can save lives, reduce food shortages and protect livelihoods at a much lower cost than a not timely humanitarian response,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said.

Meanwhile, West Africa Weekly earlier reported on how the growing imposition of taxes on farmers by terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, ISWAP and other armed militias yet-to-be designated as terror groups, is playing its role in food insecurity in Nigeria.

Read: Political Crackdown on Press Freedom Continues As Police Arrest Journalist, Precious Eze

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Mayowa Durosinmi

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M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

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