ARRANGING AND DISTRIBUTING ZFH FOOD UNDER OUR NAP PROGRAM

 Director Director

 February 25, 2024

 9:03 Pm

While preparing for our Emergency Relief Outreach. Our attention was drawn by a concerned individual to the plight of several households that are experiencing severe food insecurity and hunger in the suburbs. Even though the households are not in our Nutritional Assistance Program Register, we felt compelled to act. 

As the economic challenges continue to intensify in Nigeria, we find ourselves at a critical juncture where immediate action is not just necessary; it’s an ethical imperative. The Emergency Relief Outreach, spearheaded by us, is a response to the escalating crisis of hunger and food insecurity that has gripped both rural and urban communities across the nation.

These families are battling severe food shortages. In the face of their plight, we have been moved to take action by providing them with packaged food supplies designed to sustain them for at least one month.

It is a stark reality that as Nigeria grapples with economic hardship, the problem of food insecurity has deepened its roots, affecting both urban and rural communities. Rural areas, where 72 percent of the poor reside, bear the brunt of this crisis. However, urban areas, inhabited by nearly 40 percent of the impoverished, are not immune to the challenges either. The convergence of surging unemployment rates and rampant food inflation has forced Nigeria to occupy the unenviable position of the worst basic food price index among 67 countries, according to picodi.com.

The consequences of these economic hardships are profound and distressing. Hunger, starvation, and malnutrition are becoming household terms, reflecting the daily struggles of countless Nigerians. The Global Hunger Index (GHI), ranking Nigeria at 109 out of 125 countries, categorizes our nation’s hunger situation as “serious.” The urgency of this crisis cannot be overstated; it is deteriorating with each passing day.

While non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like ours have been actively involved in mitigating these challenges, we acknowledge the limitations of our resources. The scale of the crisis requires a collective effort. It demands a seamless partnership and coordination between NGOs and the government, including institutional stakeholders and donors. This collaboration is essential for the effective management of this unfolding disaster, which has reached a tipping point and now poses an immediate and tangible threat to our society.

The time for action is now. We must join hands to address this crisis comprehensively and urgently. Our Emergency Relief Outreach is just one step in the right direction, but it is a step we take with conviction and determination. We call upon all stakeholders, NGOs, government bodies, and individuals alike, to unite and take a stand against hunger and food insecurity. It is only through a collective effort that we can alleviate the suffering of our fellow citizens and safeguard our nation’s future.

In conclusion, the situation of hunger and food insecurity in Nigeria is dire, and it is our moral duty to respond swiftly and effectively. Let us not allow this crisis to deepen further. Let us act now, as a united front, to ensure that no one in our society goes to bed hungry. Together, we can make a difference and build a brighter future for Nigeria. Aliyu Saka Ahmed is the Chairman of ZFH.