US donates $27m to improve food security in Nigeria

The United States has announced a $27 million humanitarian aid package to assist vulnerable populations hit by food insecurity and climate change impacts in Nigeria.

The funding is part of the US government’s $536 million humanitarian aid package to sub-Saharan Africa.

This brings the total humanitarian assistance to Africa this year to nearly 3.7 billion dollars, the US mission in Nigeria said on Tuesday in Abuja.

The aid was officially unveiled by Uzra Zeya, the under-secretary of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights.

“The funding will be channeled to those in need through the state department’s bureau of population, refugees, and migration and USAID’s bureau for humanitarian assistance,” the mission said.

“The assistance aims to address the critical needs of vulnerable individuals across the sub-Saharan region. This includes refugees from war and terrorism violence, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, stateless individuals, and other conflict-affected people.

“It will focus on crises in the Sahel, among other areas, and support efforts to build durable solutions, such as voluntary returns and refugee integration.”

Richard Mills, US ambassador to Nigeria, said the donation underscored the country’s commitment to making a “real” difference in the lives of vulnerable populations in the country and across the continent.

“We stand with Nigeria in its efforts to provide for vulnerable populations and build resilience against food insecurity and climate change impacts,” the mission quoted Mills as saying.

Last week, Vice-President Kashim Shettima assured that Nigeria will continue to shelter Africans displaced by conflict and natural disasters.