Eko Hot Blog reports that the World Bank has issued a cautionary statement, highlighting the imminent risk of severe food crises in seven states across the North-west and North-east regions of Nigeria.
The regions, including Borno, Adamawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Yobe, Sokoto, and Zamfara, face heightened food insecurity due to persistent insecurity, armed conflicts, and deteriorating livelihoods, according to the latest Food Security report by the World Bank.
The report emphasizes that these states are at “crisis food security levels,” underscoring the challenges posed by ongoing insecurity and armed conflicts, which have significantly impacted living standards in the region.
The situation is exacerbated by the volatile global context, particularly the war between Russia and Ukraine, contributing to food inflation in Nigeria and escalating prices of essential commodities.
The World Bank’s assessment aligns with the current struggles faced by the Nigerian government, which is grappling with the surge in food prices.
In response, the government has announced plans to cultivate 323,000 hectares of farmland for wheat, rice, maize, and cassava during the 2024 dry season farming.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts, the World Bank report signals a critical need for comprehensive measures to address the multifaceted challenges contributing to the impending food crisis.
The report aligns with previous warnings, including the Food and Agricultural Organisation’s prediction that around 5 million Nigerians are at risk of hunger in 2024.
The report extends its analysis to other West African countries, indicating that Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger will also experience varying degrees of food insecurity.
Specific regions within northeastern Nigerian states, such as Abadam, Bama, Guzamala, Marte, are anticipated to face emergency food security levels, driven by limited household food stock, restricted market access, and challenges in receiving humanitarian aid.
The World Bank’s findings emphasize the urgency for coordinated efforts to address the root causes of food insecurity, from the local to the international level.
As Nigeria grapples with rising inflation and hunger concerns, the global community must work collaboratively to mitigate the impact on vulnerable populations.
Click to watch our video of the week
Ademola Lookman and Fiorentina goalkeeper David De Gea have been named the top performers in…
Ekohotblog reports that the Yoruba Obas Forum recently paid a courtesy visit to the Aladeshonyin…
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has announced that President Bola…