The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has revealed a looming famine for over 32 million Nigerians from June to August this year unless immediate measures are implemented.
In its report tagged ‘Cadre Harminise’ IRC highlighted the dire situation facing approximately 52 million people across Western and Central Africa during this period, representing 12% of the assessed population.
Disturbingly, the report indicates that the severity of the crisis is expected to surpass initial forecasts.
Aminiya, the Hausa version of Daily Trust, reports that the committee conducted the survey in collaboration with various national organizations.
The report pointed out a worsening malnutrition crisis in Northern Nigerian states such as Sokoto and Zamfara, where over 15 per cent of children are expected to suffer from food-related illnesses like diarrhoea.
The committee explained that Nigeria alone has about 31,758,164 people struggling to find food, equivalent to 16 per cent of the population.
WikkiTimes reports that data from the Nigeria Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) show that not less than 86.13 million accounting for 65% of the total 133 million who are multidimensionally poor live in the north, while nearly 47 million (35%) are in southern Nigeria.
MPI measures the percentage of households deprived along three dimensions — monetary poverty, education, and basic infrastructure services — to capture a concise picture of poverty.
Other African countries projected to experience significant food scarcity include Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, and Sierra Leone.
Insecurity, climate change, and economic challenges, including skyrocketing consumer goods prices, are identified as key drivers exacerbating the situation in the affected regions.
WikkiData: Over 86 Million Poor Nigerians Live in North, Including FCT
