Japan Commits $853,000 to WFP as Hunger Crisis Deepens in North-East Nigeria

Reporter

The Government of Japan has donated $853,000 to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to bolster emergency food assistance for vulnerable communities in North-East Nigeria, where conflict, displacement and rising food prices continue to push millions deeper into hunger.

The contribution, announced by the WFP, comes as Northern Nigeria grapples with one of its worst food security crises in recent years, with millions struggling to access enough food.

WFP Nigeria Programme Policy Officer, Itaru Furuta, described the donation as timely, saying it would enable the agency to sustain life-saving food assistance for the most vulnerable households across the region.

“We do not take this support for granted and call on other donors to join our mission to save the lives of the most vulnerable,” Furuta said.

According to the WFP, the humanitarian situation in North-East Nigeria remains critical as prolonged conflict, climate-related shocks and economic pressures continue to erode livelihoods and drive food insecurity.

Furuta noted that despite worsening insecurity, the organisation has continued to provide emergency food assistance to communities across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, where humanitarian needs remain among the highest in the country.

She stressed that food assistance is not only essential for addressing hunger but also for promoting stability in conflict-affected communities.

“When people are left without support, the consequences go far beyond hunger. It affects stability and security and increases the risk of people being forced to move or even being drawn into armed groups,” she said.

She added that soaring fuel costs and rising prices of essential commodities have made it increasingly difficult for many families to afford even one nutritious meal a day.

Highlighting the impact of humanitarian assistance, Furuta recounted the story of a 30-year-old widow and mother of four in Borno State, who said WFP support had enabled her to feed her children after years of displacement caused by insurgency.

North-East Nigeria has remained one of Africa’s longest-running humanitarian emergencies, with more than a decade of insurgency disrupting farming, destroying livelihoods, weakening local markets and forcing millions from their homes.

The WFP warned that the combined effects of conflict, climate shocks and economic hardship continue to intensify food insecurity, underscoring the need for sustained international support.

Japan’s contribution follows another recent international intervention. In June, Thailand donated 12 metric tonnes of rice valued at $22,000 to assist food-insecure communities, particularly in the North-East.

Nigeria continues to face one of the world’s largest food security challenges. According to PwC, about 34.7 million Nigerians could face acute food insecurity in 2026. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), citing the October 2025 Cadre Harmonisé analysis, projects a similar number of people will experience severe food insecurity during the June-August 2026 lean season.

Cadre Harmonisé findings also show that residents of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe remain among the country’s most food-insecure populations due to the combined effects of armed conflict, displacement, climate shocks and rising food prices.

The latest Japanese donation is expected to strengthen the WFP’s emergency food assistance programme, helping vulnerable households meet immediate food needs while supporting efforts to reduce the humanitarian impact of the prolonged crisis in North-East Nigeria.