Minister: Over 300,000 children at risk of malnutrition in north-east after WFP aid suspension

Tanko Sununu, minister of state for humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation, says over 300,000 children in the north-east are at risk of malnutrition following the suspension of food aid by the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP).

Sununu spoke in Abuja on Monday during the inauguration of the house of representatives ad hoc committee on flood management and response.

In July, the WPF warned that about 1.3 million people in the north-east could be affected if emergency food and nutrition aid were suspended.

The humanitarian agency said more than 150 WFP-supported nutrition clinics in Borno and Yobe states will close, ending potentially life-saving treatment for more than 300,000 children under two and placing them at increased risk.

David Stevenson, WFP country director for Nigeria, had said a record number of nearly 31 million people in Nigeria are now facing acute hunger.

‘300,000 AT RISK OF MALNUTRITION’

Sununu said the WPF suspended the aid “a few days ago”, noting that several children are being affected.

“Globally, humanitarian funding is shrinking, and Nigeria is not exempt,” the minister said.

“Just a few days ago, the World Food Programme suspended some of its activities, which had supported more than 1.2 million Nigerians with emergency transfers in the north-east.

“This leaves over 300,000 children at risk of malnutrition, while more than 200,000 are already receiving treatment.”

According to Sununu, poverty is not evenly distributed nationwide, with the north accounting for roughly 65 percent of Nigeria’s impoverished population.

“Out of this 65 percent, more than 70 percent are smallholder farmers. Sadly, most of them have lost their farmlands and livelihoods to floods and droughts,” he said.

The minister said that in response to the crisis, the federal government is strengthening interventions through the national social investment programme (NSIP).

He said under the government enterprise and empowerment programme (GEEP), smallholder farmers have received interest-free loans of N300,000 each to help them recover from losses.

He added that over 5.9 million households and about 25 million Nigerians have received N419 billion through conditional cash transfers.

Sununu explained that the initiative is designed to ease economic hardship and support vulnerable families.

“These efforts are part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerians maintain dignity of life despite economic challenges,” he said.

He assured that with the support of the house of representatives; the federal government will continue to protect vulnerable households and restore livelihoods.