Food Security: 25,000 Tons of Wheat for N’East Arrive from War-ravaged Ukraine

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

A donation of 25,000 tons of wheat for emergency food assistance to 1.3 million crisis-affected people in northeast Nigeria, has arrived the country from Ukraine.
The tons of wheat were donated through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

This vital contribution – part of Ukraine’s humanitarian “Grain from Ukraine” initiative launched by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would come handing as prices of staple food in Nigeria have been rising in recent times pushing basic meals out of the reach of millions of vulnerable families across the country.
According to a statement by WFP, the shipment was made possible thanks to a collaborative effort from Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, Republic of Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, which helped cover the costs of transporting the wheat from Ukraine to Nigeria and its distribution to the families who so urgently need it.

WFP Representative and Country Director in Nigeria, David Stevenson said, “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Government of Ukraine, partners, and donors for their unwavering support through the Grain from Ukraine Initiative.

“This collaborative effort plays a crucial role in alleviating suffering and maintaining human dignity in areas facing conflict and food price increase.”
The statement added that as part of WFP’s ongoing humanitarian operations, the wheat donation would be combined with cash and other commodities to meet the basic food and nutrition needs of crisis-affected women, men and children for a two-month period.

It decried that deadly conflicts and persistent violence in northeast Nigeria had driven millions of people out of their homes, off their farms and across the region, jeopardising agriculture and livelihoods production.

It added that over the past three months, unlike in previous years, prices of key staples across several markets in Nigeria increased above pre-harvest levels hampering food access for vulnerable families who depend on harvest and markets for their supplies.