35 Million Nigerians Face Worst Hunger Crisis on Record, UN Warns

(MENAFN) Tens of millions of Nigerians are on the brink of a historic food emergency as conflict, widespread insecurity, and deepening economic strain converge ahead of one of the most severe lean seasons the country has ever faced, UN humanitarians warned Friday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a news release that mounting economic pressures compounded by unprecedented funding shortfalls are pushing Nigerian families to the edge of survival.

The UN Humanitarian Country Team in Nigeria estimated that nearly one in seven people nationwide — approximately 35 million individuals — are likely to experience acute food insecurity during this year's lean season, running from June through August.

"This makes Nigeria one of the world's largest hunger crises, with the burden falling overwhelmingly on northern Nigeria," OCHA said. "If assistance is further delayed, millions of families will be forced to further reduce meals, sell assets and withdraw their children from school."

The crisis extends beyond hunger. OCHA warned that acute malnutrition is also expected to peak in the coming months, putting millions of young children at grave risk. Across the northwest and northeast of the country alone, an estimated 6.4 million children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition this year.

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners are now making an urgent appeal for international funding to scale up life-saving operations on the ground.

"Resources from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund have jump-started the response, but more is needed to meet immediate life-saving humanitarian needs," OCHA said. "The already hyper-prioritized 516 million U.S. dollar Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is just over 40 percent funded, with 215 million dollars received."

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