Development Cable

Food crisis: Nigeria to benefit as South Korea donates $1.2m to five African countries

August 30, 2021 2:14 pm

Aminu Adamu, mother of two was sleeping when the insurgents attacked her village in Bama. She ran with others for 6 hours before they got a car tha took them to Elminskin camp. WFP has supported her with monthly food rations as well as nutrition supplement for her youngest child, Muhammed for three years. WFP provides nutrition support to mothers and pregnant women, educating them on best practices to raising healthy children as well as providing nutritious supplements to help their children grow healthier. Photo: UNOCHA/Damilola Onafuwa

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has listed Nigeria as one of the five countries to benefit from $1.2 million donated by South Korea to alleviate the food crisis in vulnerable communities.

The WFP is a humanitarian organisation aimed at saving lives in emergencies, providing food support to victims of disaster, conflict and those affected by climate change.

In a statement on Monday, the UN listed Ethiopia, Nigeria, Madagascar, South Sudan and Burkina Faso as the five countries to benefit from the donation.

Chris Nikoi, WFP regional director for Western Africa, said: “We are grateful for this generous and timely contribution from the government of the Republic of Korea and Korean people to some of the most severe food-insecure communities in Burkina Faso and Nigeria.”

Menghestab Haile, WFP regional director for Southern Africa, said: “Because of climate change, COVID-19 and lack of access to water, populations in Southern Madagascar are facing unprecedented levels of food insecurity and malnutrition.

“The number of people on the verge of starvation is likely to double as we are close to the start of the lean season in October. We are therefore grateful for this generous and timely contribution from the government of the Republic of Korea and Korean people which is making a significant difference in the lives of people.”

In Nigeria, floods, climate disasters, and insecurity have disrupted farming activities, causing food crises across the north-east, north-west, and other parts of the country.