In a remarkable display of humanitarianism amidst its own conflict, the Government of Ukraine has sent a substantial donation of 25,000 tons of wheat to Nigeria, a move aimed at alleviating the dire food insecurity affecting millions in the West African nation. The announcement was made by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Thursday, marking a significant step in addressing the escalating crisis in northeast Nigeria.
This generous contribution comes as part of Ukraine’s humanitarian initiative, “Grain from Ukraine,” spearheaded by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The donated wheat is poised to provide emergency food assistance to approximately 1.3 million people who have been severely affected by the ongoing crisis in Nigeria. As prices of staple foods continue to soar in the country, the donation offers a glimmer of hope for vulnerable families struggling to afford basic meals.
The logistics of transporting such a substantial quantity of wheat from Ukraine to Nigeria were made possible through the collaborative efforts of several countries. The United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, the Republic of Korea, and Sweden all contributed to covering the costs of transportation and distribution, ensuring that the aid reaches those in urgent need.
David Stevenson, the WFP Representative and Country Director in Nigeria, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support received from Ukraine and its partners. He emphasized the critical role that such collaborations play in alleviating suffering and maintaining human dignity in conflict-affected areas. Stevenson stated, “This collaborative effort plays a crucial role in alleviating suffering and maintaining human dignity in areas facing conflict and food price increase.”
The donated wheat will complement existing humanitarian efforts by the WFP, as it will be combined with cash and other commodities to meet the basic food and nutrition needs of crisis-affected individuals for a period of two months. Cynthia Rowe, the British High Commission Development Director, highlighted the importance of assisting vulnerable populations during these challenging times. Rowe remarked, “The UK is proud to be part of the global community supporting WFP to distribute lifesaving grain across Nigeria, reaching over 600,000 people.”
The food insecurity crisis in Nigeria has been exacerbated by deadly conflicts and persistent violence in the northeast region, which have displaced millions of people and disrupted agricultural activities. Over the past three months, the prices of key staples in various markets across the country have surged above pre-harvest levels, further hindering access to food for vulnerable families. In Maiduguri, for instance, wholesale prices of red beans have skyrocketed by 210 per cent compared to the same period last year, while maize and sorghum prices have seen increases of 176 per cent and 188 per cent, respectively.
