WFP Increases Efforts To Reach 7.3 Million Amid Hunger Crisis In West And Central Africa

The World Food Programme (WFP) is set to expand its food and nutrition assistance programme this month in West and Central Africa, aiming to reach 7.3 million people. This initiative comes as the June-August lean season begins, a period marked by high hunger levels and scarce food resources. The programme will support national government response plans in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Nigeria.

With adequate funding, WFP's initiative has the potential to assist up to 12 million people. However, due to diminishing resources, the programme has reached fewer individuals than initially anticipated. Currently, malnutrition in West and Central Africa is at alarming levels, with projections indicating that 55 million people will face acute hunger during the lean season.

Chris Nikoi, WFP's Regional Director for Western Africa, highlighted the urgent need for sustainable solutions to support vulnerable families. "We need to continue prioritising emergency response for those most in need," Nikoi stated. "But we also require more investment in sustainable solutions to strengthen food security, improve agricultural productivity, and enhance the purchasing power of families at the right time to cushion economic and climate shocks."

Many individuals experiencing acute hunger in West and Central Africa have been left without assistance due to insufficient funding. This lack of support risks worsening their situation as crises in the region escalate. WFP expressed concern over the 2024 seasonal forecast, which predicts weather conditions that could disrupt farming and extend the next lean season.

WFP is currently engaged in supporting long-term hunger solutions and improving government systems to increase community resilience through social protection and investments in inclusive food systems. The programme has contributed to restoring degraded lands for food production, supporting children's education, improving food access, boosting incomes across the Sahel, and providing diversified meals to civilians in Nigerian villages.

WFP emphasised that initiatives such as strengthening poor families' purchasing power with timely shock-responsive social protection schemes need prioritisation and expansion. The organisation noted that humanitarian response alone is financially unsustainable and does not address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition.

"The escalation of humanitarian needs far outstrips available resources," Nikoi said. "The only way out of this cycle is to prioritise durable solutions."

With inputs from WAM