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Nigeria faces unprecedented hunger crisis

The U.N. reports nearly 31 million Nigerians are in need of urgent food aid.

July 24, 2025 at 09:53 PM

Nigeria faces hunger crisis as food needs rise, UN says

The U.N. warns of a severe hunger crisis in Nigeria as funding for food aid has dramatically decreased.

Nigeria confronts deepening hunger crisis amid funding cuts

The U.N. food agency has declared that Nigeria is facing an unprecedented hunger crisis. Nearly 31 million people are at risk of acute food insecurity, and urgent assistance is needed. The World Food Program’s regional director, Margot van der Velden, indicated that a funding shortfall is affecting humanitarian aid, jeopardizing support for millions afflicted by conflict. With the U.S. Agency for International Development cutting back on aid, vital programs could be suspended, impacting food access for over 1.3 million people. Additionally, more than 300,000 children face severe malnutrition, and 700,000 displaced individuals may not have means for survival.

Key Takeaways

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31 million Nigerians face acute hunger and need life-saving assistance.

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Funding for the World Food Program has decreased significantly since August.

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Over 1.3 million people are projected to lose food and nutritional support.

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300,000 children are at risk of severe malnutrition due to the crisis.

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Communities in Nigeria are more likely to experience tension and instability without adequate aid.

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Other West and Central African nations also face funding shortages, worsening the region's food crisis.

"The crisis is not just in Nigeria but across west and central Africa."

Margot van der Velden highlights the broader implications of funding cuts affecting many countries.

"When there is no food aid, hunger deepens and tensions rise."

This statement emphasizes the risk of instability due to lack of assistance.

The situation in Nigeria's northeast underscores a troubling trend across West and Central Africa where rising needs meet diminishing financial resources. This environment sets the stage for a severe humanitarian crisis affecting millions. Cuts to aid not only threaten food security but also heighten tensions in communities already struggling with instability. As warned by van der Velden, the ongoing risk of conflict could escalate if these aid dynamics do not improve, making the international community’s response critical to maintaining some level of peace.