To provide emergency food assistance, the Government of Ukraine, through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), has donated 25,000 tons of wheat to 1.3 million people in northeast Nigeria.
This information was disclosed in a statement issued by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer of the British High Commission in Abuja.
The statement highlighted that this vital contribution is part of Ukraine’s humanitarian initiative “Grain from Ukraine,” launched by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
It further noted that the arrival of the wheat is timely, as staple food prices in Nigeria have risen, making basic meals unaffordable for millions of vulnerable families across the country.
The shipment was made possible through a collaborative effort by the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, South Korea, and Sweden, which helped cover the costs of transporting the wheat from Ukraine to Nigeria and distributing it to families in dire need.
To ensure continued food and nutrition assistance for crisis-affected people in northeast and northwest Nigeria, the WFP urgently requires USD 154 million for the next six months (March-August 2024).
Responding to this development, David Stevenson, WFP Representative and Country Director in Nigeria, stated, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Ukraine, our partners, and donors for their unwavering support through the Grain from Ukraine Initiative. This collaborative effort plays a crucial role in alleviating suffering and upholding human dignity in areas facing conflict and rising food prices.”
As part of its ongoing humanitarian operations, the WFP will combine the wheat donation with cash and other commodities to meet the basic food and nutritional needs of crisis-affected women, men, and children for a two-month period.
Cynthia Rowe, Development Director of the British High Commission, also spoke at the WFP office, stating, “This is an incredibly difficult time for many people around the world, including Nigerians. It is crucial that we assist the most vulnerable populations.
The UK is proud to be part of the global community supporting the WFP in distributing life-saving grain across Nigeria, reaching over 600,000 people. This contribution will help address rising food insecurity driven by conflict and regional instability. We continue to support measures that reduce its impact in Nigeria, strengthen livelihoods, and promote peace.”