515,000 children at risk as hunger crises lingers in Lake Chad —FAO

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, has raised another alarm over the up surging   hunger crises in Nigeria, with about 515,000 children in danger. The statement from FAO however said the situation had worsened and acutely spreading over to the neighbouring Lake Chad with damning consequences.

The statement made available to journalists noted that “some 7.1 million people are now severely food insecure across the four countries. Among them are 515 000 children who are suffering from severe acute malnutrition – a condition which, if untreated, can lead to permanent damage to a child’s development and even death.”

It also added that “ a total of $232 million will be needed to secure food production and access to food for three million people in the worst-hit areas over the next three years. The vast majority of the requested funds – some $191 million – is designated for Nigeria, which is bearing the brunt of the crisis.”

The Director of Emergency and Rehabilitation of the FAO, Dominique Burgeon, explained that “In the worst-affected areas, famine continues to loom — and millions will remain trapped in cycles of severe hunger if we don’t enable farmers to start cropping now.

“Our collective efforts cannot be limited to merely avoiding massive famine – they need to allow people to return to a dignified life. And supporting agriculture is the key to both,” he added.

As a strategy to tackling the crises, FAO said that it has advised all stakeholders to work towards ensuring that farmers within the worst hit regions are supported with everything necessary to engage in productive farm activities.

“With the next planting season starting in May, and with scarcity of animal fodder and water points during the lean season, it is crucial that crop seeds, tools and livestock support reach families urgently to limit the scope of the deepening crisis that now involves four countries: Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria”

The statement further expressed concern that the unabated insurgency in Northeastern Nigeria has continued to create humanitarian crises, causing heavy financial burdens.

“Violence related to the armed group Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria has spilled over to parts of neighboring countries in the Lake Chad Basin – specifically, Cameroon’s Far North, western Chad and southeastern Niger – with devastating effects on food security and livelihoods “

“With the Lake Chad Basin approaching a critical period in the agricultural calendar, FAO is urgently calling for $30 million in immediate emergency support to help farming families in the four countries get ready to plant in the upcoming May planting season and prevent them from slipping into long-term dependency on food aid”, the statement added.