The Cadre Harmonisé report for October 2023, released in Abuja, highlights a concerning food crisis in Nigeria. Approximately 26.5 million Nigerians across 26 states, including Abuja, are at risk of facing acute food insecurity. The report, presented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the World Food Programme and other agencies, attributes this crisis to various factors, including the removal of petrol subsidies, currency policy changes, floods, conflicts, and insecurity.
The report projects that by June to August 2024, these 26.5 million people, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), may be in crisis or worse regarding food security. Dominique Koffy, the UN FAO Representative in Nigeria and ECOWAS, explained that the agency conducted assessments in various states to identify populations at risk.
He noted that during the lean season (June to August 2024), households may experience a decline in food consumption, potentially pushing several states into a crisis phase. This could be attributed to significant spikes in staple food prices due to increases in fuel prices, inflation, and high food production costs.
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The report also highlights a reduction in household food stocks, particularly in states affected by flash floods in 2023. Limited production activities were reported in crisis-affected states, further exacerbating the situation. While global market stock supply appears stable, rising prices continue to hinder food access in the analyzed states.
Additionally, the report indicates a concerning nutrition situation in various states. The Cadre Harmonisé report serves as an important tool for producing thorough and transparent analyses of current and projected food and nutrition situations.