Peace, Stability In Country Threatened Due To Food Insecurity: Nigerian Red Cross Society

Food insecurity in Nigeria is threatening the country's peace and stability, the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has said.

Oluyemisi Adeaga, president of the humanitarian organization, said during a media interaction held in Abuja on Monday that food insecurity has been on the rise in the country and it can lead to national security issues.

Many people in Nigeria are reportedly not sure if they will be able to have their next meal or not.

"We call on all well-meaning people and organizations to join the efforts of the Nigerian Red Cross Society to bring relief to some of the most vulnerable members of our society who now face the human indignity of not knowing where their next meal will come from," he said, as per Punch.

Nigeria was ranked 103rd out of 121 countries in last year's Global Hunger Index. It got the same ranking out of 116 countries in 2021, while it placed 98th out of 107 counties in 2020.

There are about 25 million Nigerians who are at risk of severe hunger and malnutrition, as per Adeaga, who also pointed out that most of these struggling citizens are women and children.

"Indeed, the urgency of the situation is not lost on President Bola Tinubu who declared a state of emergency on food insecurity and ordered the immediate release of fertilizers and grains to farmers," he said.

Adeaga went on to explain that the president of Nigeria approved "all matters pertaining to food and water availability as well as affordability, as essential livelihood items, be included within the purview of the National Security Council."

NRCS had initially aimed to help address hunger in seven states in northwest and north-central Nigeria. Now it has increased that number to 13 states, as more people are currently faced with food insecurity in the country.

Adeaga then acknowledged various reasons behind food insecurity in Nigeria. He said they include banditry, rising inflation, worsening economic conditions, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the lack of access to farms in parts of the territory.

"We at the Nigerian Red Cross Society remain undaunted and will continue to ensure that we alleviate human suffering in our country," he concluded.

Bhupinder Tomar, head of the delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said they are glad the Nigerian government has recognized the ongoing crisis in the country.

"This event is to pass the message on to the general public to fully participate with the Red Cross society to be able to support interventions in place," Tomar added.

Thousands of Nigerian youth attacked the National Emergency Management Agency warehouses in Kaduna and Adamawa states in July when food and fuel prices skyrocketed in the country after President Tinubu announced subsidy removal.