The United States government has contributed $32.5 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide food and nutrition support for communities in Nigeria affected by conflict.
In a statement released on its website on Wednesday, the US Embassy in Nigeria explained that the funding will deliver life-saving aid to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the north-east and north-west regions.
According to the embassy, the donation is focused on reducing the suffering of vulnerable populations, especially women and children.
“World Food Program Nigeria, with U.S. Government’s contribution of \$32.5 million, will provide food assistance and nutrition support to internally displaced persons across conflict-affected areas,” the statement reads.
“With the U.S. Government’s donation, the World Food Programme Nigeria will provide food and nutrition assistance to 764,205 beneficiaries across Northeast and Northwest Nigeria.
“This includes complementary nutrition top-ups for 41,569 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls and 43,235 children through electronic food vouchers.”
Just last month, the US unveiled a $93 million emergency food assistance programme for 13 countries, including 12 in Africa, to combat rising hunger and malnutrition.
The US Department of State noted that the programme will deliver ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to nearly one million children battling severe malnutrition.
It added that the package includes 1,209 metric tons of existing stock alongside funding for an additional 11,285 metric tons.
Beneficiary nations include Haiti, Mali, Niger, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Kenya, and Chad.