Nigerians At Risk Of Hunger Starvation – United Nations

The United Nations has said that the number of Nigerians in need of life-saving assistance has grown to 7.8 million as the country faces a looming hunger crisis.

This was disclosed on Tuesday, by the Head, Public Information Unit of the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Eve Sabbagh.

Sabbagh said that the crisis has made it extra difficult, worsening the hunger situation in the country, advocating support for farmers in the country, especially during “the planting season.”

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She said, “It is extremely important to have funding in time to provide support to farmers during the planting season, as there is a risk to see more people facing hunger this year.

“Before the COVID-19 pandemic reached Nigeria, humanitarian needs were already worsening and increased from 7.1 million people in need of urgent life-saving assistance in 2019 to 7.8 million people in 2020.

“UN and NGOs as well as government institutions had planned to step up their assistance in 2020. UN and partner NGOs needed $834 million to provide urgent aid to 5.9 million people.

“We are half-way through the year and so far only 15% of the funding has been received. Now with the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the economy and livelihoods, many more people need urgent assistance.”