25,000 metric tonnes of wheat have been provided by Ukrainian Government to support the World Food Programme (WFP) in providing emergency food assistance to 1.3 million crisis-affected people in North East Nigeria.
It was learnt the donation was part of the humanitarian “Grain from Ukraine” initiative launched by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The WFP Representative and Country Director in Nigeria, David Stevenson, while receiving the grains on Thursday in Abuja, said the shipment was made possible with collaborative efforts from Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, which provided the costs of transporting the wheat from Ukraine to Nigeria.
He explained that the grain would be urgently distributed to families in need of it and commended the Government of Ukraine, partners, and donors for the unwavering support through the grain from Ukraine Initiative.
Stevenson disclosed that the donation would be combined with cash and other commodities to meet the basic food and nutrition needs of crisis-affected women, men, and children for a 2-month period.
“This collaborative effort plays a crucial role in alleviating suffering and maintaining human dignity in areas facing conflict and food price increases.
“Deadly conflicts and persistent violence in northeast Nigeria have driven millions of people out of their homes, off their farms, and across the region, jeopardizing agriculture and livelihoods production.
“Over the past three months, unlike in previous years, prices of key staples across several markets in Nigeria increased above pre-harvest levels, hampering food access for vulnerable families who depend on harvest and markets for their supplies. In Maiduguri, for example, the wholesale prices of red beans have increased by 210 percent compared to the same period last year, February 2023.
“Similarly, prices of maize and sorghum increased by 176 percent and 188 percent, respectively. The country is also grappling with its fourth consecutive year of chronic food insecurity, with 26.5 million people across the country projected to face acute hunger during the 2024 lean season between June and August, according to the November 2023 Cadre Harmonisé food security analysis.
“WFP is committed to working with the government and partners to build more resilient, inclusive, and effective food systems, taking advantage of its current footprint in the country through its Out of Conflict into Solutions food systems approach”, he said.
“The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomes a generous donation of 25,000 tons of wheat from the Government of Ukraine that will help provide emergency food assistance to 1.3 million crisis-affected people in northeast Nigeria”, WFP said on its website on Thursday.
The WFP had said it would stop procuring food grains from Nigeria until prices stabilize in the local market.
