16% of Nigerians will face Severe Food Crisis by August 2024
The most recent Cadre Harmonise (CH) report, published by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in collaboration with other international organizations, indicates that approximately 31.8 million Nigerians, which is 16% of the population, are projected to experience severe food crisis from June to August 2024.
The Cadre Harmonisé (CH) analysis serves as a valuable tool for evaluating food security and nutrition conditions in the Sahel and West Africa region. The report highlights the presence of acute malnutrition among women aged 15-49 in Sokoto and Zamfara states, with rates ranging from 19% to 31% and 11% to 19%, respectively. Similar to Nigeria, West and Central Africa also exhibit a high prevalence of food insecurity, as indicated in the report.
It is noted that 9.5% of the sampled countries’ populations are currently facing a food crisis according to the Cadre Harmonise scale, with an expected increase to 12% by June – August 2024. Factors contributing to the food and nutrition security crisis include conflicts, disease outbreaks, political instability, and economic challenges like high inflation.
Additionally, issues such as the high cost of staple foods in rural areas and limited access to production zones play a role. The report emphasizes the importance of strong political will and government commitment in allocating resources and implementing effective food security strategies in Nigeria.
Furthermore, the establishment of a social safety net program is deemed necessary to offer financial assistance to vulnerable families during crises and prevent them from slipping further into food insecurity.
