Japan gives $853,000 food aid to fight hunger in North-East Nigeria
By Aboki Forex —
The Japanese government has donated food assistance worth $853,000 to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Nigeria. The money will support vulnerable people in the North-East, where conflict and displacement have pushed millions into severe hunger.
The WFP announced the donation on Monday. Itaru Furuta, the WFP Nigeria Programme Policy Officer, described the contribution as timely. He said it would provide critical food aid to the most vulnerable households across the region.
Millions of people in Northern Nigeria are facing unprecedented levels of hunger. Many families are struggling to meet their daily food needs.
WFP calls for more donor support
Furuta said Japan’s support helps sustain lifesaving interventions for people affected by conflict, displacement and climate shocks. He added, “We do not take this support for granted and call on other donors to join our mission to save the lives of the most vulnerable.”
The WFP has continued to deliver emergency food assistance to conflict-hit communities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Furuta noted that food assistance goes beyond addressing hunger. It also reduces displacement risks and limits the vulnerability of affected populations.
“When people are left without support, the consequences go far beyond hunger. It affects stability and security and increases the risk of people being forced to move or even being drawn into armed groups,” he said.
Persistent insecurity, rising fuel costs and increasing prices of essential commodities have made it harder for families to afford even one complete meal a day. Furuta recounted the story of a 30-year-old widow and mother of four from Borno State. She said WFP’s assistance helped her provide for her children after years of displacement caused by the insurgency.