In 2024, Nigeria is anticipated to face a significant challenge, with approximately 26.5 million people dealing with severe food insecurity, according to the October 2023 Cadre Harmonisé analysis on food insecurity. The government, along with its partners, revealed this projection, highlighting an alarming situation where about 9 million children could be at risk of acute malnutrition, including 2.6 million facing Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
The Cadre Harmonisé, which conducts food and nutrition studies biannually, pointed to various factors fueling this crisis, such as conflicts, climate change impacts, inflation, and escalating costs of food and essential commodities. Ongoing violence in certain regions hampers food availability, while armed banditry and kidnappings exacerbate economic challenges.
Dr. Ernest Umakhihe, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, stressed the importance of Cadre Harmonisé, acknowledging external challenges like the global economic effects of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war.
Currently, 18.6 million people experience food insecurity, with 3.3 million in the northeastern BAY states. Without immediate action, this number could rise to 26.5 million nationwide by the 2024 lean season.
The FAO Representative urged the government to expand Cadre Harmonisé coverage, focusing on agrifood systems transformation and resilience-building. Floods in October 2023 further worsened the situation, leading to mass displacements and impacting vulnerable groups.
The head of OCHA in Nigeria highlighted the severe consequences, including negative coping mechanisms like survival sex and child labor. UNICEF and WFP emphasized the urgent need for action, stressing the moral duty to address hunger and malnutrition.
Conclusion: food insecurity
Trend analysis reveals consistently high or rising food insecurity levels in the northeastern states since 2018, urging the United Nations to call for immediate support and resource commitment from the Nigerian Government, donors, and stakeholders to avert a potential food and nutrition disaster.
