WFP launches $2.5bn fund to address hunger, malnutrition in Nigeria

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has unveiled a country strategic plan (CSP) worth $2.5 billion for Nigeria.

The CSP is aimed at addressing hunger and malnutrition in some parts of the north-east, north-west and other selected states.

David Stevenson, WFP country director, spoke at a joint press conference with the ministry of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development.

Stevenson explained that CSP defines WFP’s entire portfolio of assistance within the country for a period of five years, effective 2023 to 2027.

“The country strategy is valued at $2.56 billion and it’s more than $500 million a year assistance for Nigeria to achieve food security and improve nutrition by 2030,” he said.

He also said the CSP would contribute to progress in good health and wellbeing, inclusive education, gender equality and climate action, as well as strengthen the national humanitarian and development response in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“My job as country representative in Nigeria is effectively running a big business; a business that is valued at about $1 million everyday of assistance,” he said.

“And we are signing contracts with Nigerian companies, with Nigerian civil societies everyday to get the food assistance to where it’s needed.”

Stevenson said the WFP operates a food system that sees conflict as the enemy of progress, adding that WFP is making significant investment in the Nigerian economy by buying and investing locally.

“This is a new WFP investing in the Nigerian economy, meeting the needs of Nigerians and contributing to agricultural, productive food systems solutions,” he added.

The country director added that the WFP would support the government in life saving crisis response assistance, and life changing resilience building activities through technical assistance and policy.

He said this would help maximise the return on government investment in food security and nutrition.

“All of this is aligned with Nigeria’s national development plan, with the Nigeria agenda 2050,” Stevenson said.

“The national multi sectoral plan of action for food and nutrition in Nigeria and then Nigeria’s national humanitarian development peace framework.”

Also speaking, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, permanent secretary of the ministry of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, described the partnership between the ministry and WFP as cordial.

Sani-Gwarzo said the ministry has achieved several milestones in the humanitarian space.

“To be specific, the stabilisation fund project was implemented in six LGAs in the north-east and north-west with a total of 27,432 persons impacted across the selected LGAs,” he said.

States to benefit are Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Adamawa, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Cross River.