WFP Provides Lifeline to New IDPs In Camp

Ugo Aliogo

While food security across conflict-affected areas of Nigeria’s northeast has improved over the past years, the World Food Programme (WFP) remains focused on meeting the urgent needs of the steady flow of newly displaced people, the outfit has said.

The body noted that many Internally displaced Persons (IDP) arrived from areas that remain inaccessible to humanitarian organisations.

According to a statement made available to THISDAY by the Communications Associate, Communications, Advocacy and Marketing, WFP, Adedeji Ademigbuji, the WFP had recognised the support of donors for its food assistance activities in the northeast.

The statement also noted that Canada, European Commission (ECHO), Finland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom (DFID), the United States (USAID), and private donors contributed to WFP Nigeria in 2018.

Ademigbuji in the statement, said to continue its emergency operation in northeast Nigeria, WFP urgently required US$ 100 million to provide emergency food assistance, prevent malnutrition in young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women, and support livelihoods and retain flexibility to respond to further displacement through March 2019.

The statement said, “Many new arrivals in the camp, particularly the young, are malnourished. This is the lean season, when the year’s food reserves are depleted. Those in the worst condition tend to come from villages where it is unsafe for humanitarian organisations to operate and food is scarce.

Currently, some 800,000 people in these remote areas are thought to be cut off from any aid assistance.
“The school hall in the camp now serves as a warehouse and distribution point for food trucked in by WFP.
“Bulis Ntasiri, Food Security Officer with WFP’s implementing partner, Danish Refugee Council (DRC), is preparing food for a group of about 50 women who have just arrived with their children.

“Each family receives a monthly ration of cereals, pulses, salt and vegetable oil. Children under five, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, also receive extra nutrition in the form of super-cereal that has been fortified with vitamins and minerals.”