The International Federation of Red Cross made an urgent appeal on Monday to raise CHF 27 million (N23 billion) to assist the Nigerian Red Cross Society in response to the country’s food crisis.
According to the organisation, the help would benefit 1,092,300 people in total.
Bhupinder Tomar, chairman of the delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, made this announcement to journalists in Abuja.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for issuing a state of emergency on food insecurity and claimed that Nigeria was currently experiencing an unparalleled hunger crisis.
In his words:
“Nigeria is facing an unprecedented hunger crisis this year. We are glad that the government of Nigeria has recognised the crisis and the President has declared a state of emergency.
“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.
“We are trying to raise CHF 27 million to support the hunger crisis in the country. 1,092,300 people will receive the aid in the form of cash assistance, food and nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene.”
Oluyemisi Adeaga, President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, stated that the growing number of people facing food insecurity poses a danger to the country’s peace and stability.
He stated that Nigeria, like any other major nation, must prioritise its population’s food requirements.
According to Adeaga, resolving hunger in the country is not just an issue of dignity, but also of vital national security.
“We call on all well-meaning people and organisations 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 stated.
cc: Punch Ng
