UN Warns of Severe Food and Nutrition Crisis for 5.9 Million Nigerian Children

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Mohammed Fall, has revealed that approximately 5.9 million Nigerian children are facing a dire food and nutrition crisis, marking the highest number globally.

Fall disclosed this alarming statistic during the launch of the 2024 Lean Season Food Security and Nutrition Crisis multi-sector plan.

The initiative aims to coordinate efforts with existing government investments in food assistance, health, water, and sanitation, primarily targeting the North-Eastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.

Highlighting the severity of the situation, Fall emphasized that within these states alone, 700,000 children under the age of 5 are reported to be malnourished.

Moreover, he expressed concern over the risk faced by 4.8 million Nigerians during this year’s lean season (June to September), exacerbated by factors such as flooding, inflation, and challenges in accessing food due to the war in Ukraine.

To address this looming crisis, Fall stressed the need for urgent action, stating that approximately N306 million is required to implement this year’s project, aimed at reaching 2.8 million people. Failure to act swiftly could result in the deterioration of the food and nutrition situation in the region into a catastrophic scenario.

This revelation follows Nigeria’s declaration of a national emergency on food security in July 2023, prompted by soaring inflation that rendered basic foods unaffordable for many citizens.