By John Ikani
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has sounded the alarm on a potential hunger crisis in Nigeria.
The agency estimates that 25 million people in the West African nation could face severe hunger in 2023 if immediate action is not taken.
According to the October 2022 Cadre Harmonisé, a food and nutrition analysis led by the Nigerian government and supported by the UN, 25 million people are at risk of facing hunger during the lean season of June to August 2023.
This is an alarming increase from the 17 million people who were previously projected to face food insecurity.
Climate change, conflicts, inflation, and rising food prices are the main drivers of this crisis, according to UNICEF.
The agency also highlighted that children are the most vulnerable to food insecurity, with six million of the 17 million food-insecure Nigerians being children under the age of five living in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara states.
“I have visited nutrition stabilization centers filled with children who are fighting to stay alive. We must act now to ensure they and others get the lifesaving support they need,” said Matthias Schmale, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria.
UNICEF is calling on the Nigerian government, donor agencies, and other stakeholders to take urgent steps to mitigate the situation.
The agency has also urged the government and other parties to commit resources and implement measures that would save lives and prevent a potentially catastrophic food security and nutrition situation.
