BREAKING: UN Says Nigeria May Experience Famine, Seeks $250m Support

The United Nations (UN), on Tuesday, said famine may hit Nigeria if nothing was done to address food insecurity in the country.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Edward Kallon, made this known in a live broadcast at the United Nations Office at Geneva.

He specifically asked member states to support the country with $250 million.

“We are seeing Nigeria at a crossroad to critical food insecure situation and a looming catastrophic food insecurity that could result in famine, if appropriate actions are not taken now.

“My call on the international community is to come to our aid now to make sure that we avert a famine.

“We need critically $250 million to respond to the acute food insecurity of 4.4 million people of which 775,000 are at a critical threshold of death if nothing is done now,” he said.

Kallon explained that the food crisis was due to lack of funds, insecurity and the covid-19 pandemic.

“This situation has even deteriorated further as a result of one, limited access, constraints imposed by covid-19 and also lack of resources.

“Security remains a major concern in our operation and at best, the security situation in the operation areas remain fluid, volatile and unpredictable.

“Access remain a concern to us but we are also very hopeful and working collectively to ensure that the response is localized and we are using local support to make sure that affected population are reached,” he added.