The October Cadre Harmonisé (CH) Report projects 33.1 million Nigerians across 26 states and the FCT will face food insecurity. This alarming prediction, announced in Abuja, highlights the severe food crisis looming over Nigeria. The UN FAO, WFP, Nigeria’s Agriculture Ministry, and partners developed the CH Analysis Report. The report underscores the urgent need to address widespread food and nutrition challenges in Nigeria.
States and Populations at Risk
The report highlights the extensive reach of the projected crisis, encompassing states in northern, central, and southern Nigeria. Affected states include Sokoto, Zamfara, Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and more, with thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno, Sokoto, and Zamfara at critical risk. With a worsening crisis in vulnerable regions, there are calls for immediate action.
Current Food Insecurity Trends
The report further reveals that approximately 25 million Nigerians in these states are currently experiencing food shortages. This is due to several factors, including the rising cost of food items, disruptions in agricultural productivity, and worsening security issues that hinder farming activities in key regions. The FAO, alongside government bodies, warns that current trends may intensify without significant intervention.
Urgent Call for Action
Kouacou Koffy, the FAO Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, called for swift and coordinated efforts to address the crisis, emphasising collaboration among national and international stakeholders. He stated, “Together, we can alleviate hunger and reduce suffering for Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.” Koffy cited economic and environmental pressures as compounding factors that are exacerbating the crisis.
Addressing Food and Nutrition Security
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is leveraging the CH report to design targeted responses to these issues. Permanent Secretary Temitope Fashedemi assured the public of the government’s commitment to applying the report’s findings to enhance food and nutrition security nationwide. Collaborative workshops with stakeholders are also being conducted to assess data and design solutions.
Key Factors Driving the Crisis
Balama Dauda, CH Focal Person for the National Programme on Food Security, identified high food prices, floods, and insecurity as primary drivers of the crisis. These factors are straining resources, contributing to widespread food scarcity. Experts and government representatives are now tasked with implementing the necessary measures to prevent the forecasted food crisis from materialising.
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