The United States Government has announced the provision of $32.5 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) to support its food and nutrition initiatives in Nigeria. This information was outlined in a statement released by Aishah Gambari of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday.
The donation is intended to ensure the delivery of vital food and nutrition assistance aimed at saving lives within the country. The WFP Nigeria, utilizing the contribution from the U.S. Government, plans to offer food assistance and nutritional support to internally displaced persons residing in conflict-affected regions.
Specifically, this funding will enable the WFP to assist 764,205 beneficiaries across Northeast and Northwest Nigeria. This assistance includes nutritional supplements for 41,569 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls, along with support for 43,235 children through the distribution of electronic food vouchers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WFP, which relies entirely on voluntary contributions from governments, corporations, and private individuals, stands as the world’s largest humanitarian organization. The U.S. is the predominant donor to the WFP, consistently providing a substantial portion of its annual funding, with contributions exceeding $2.9 billion in 2023 alone.
As the food assistance division of the United Nations, the WFP operates in more than 120 countries, delivering emergency food relief to those in need while also fostering long-term food security and stability to mitigate life-threatening emergencies. Additionally, it assists communities in rebuilding their livelihoods post-crisis through various programs, including nutrition initiatives for mothers and children, school feeding programs, and strategies aimed at enhancing resilience to climate-related shocks. In recognition of its efforts to alleviate hunger and contribute to peace, the WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020, acknowledging its role in preventing hunger from being utilized as a weapon of war and conflict.