Ukraine has donated 25,000 tonnes of wheat as emergency food assistance to 1.3 million vulnerable, crisis-affected people in northeast Nigeria amidst rising inflation and food price spikes.
This is contained in a statement by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, spokeswoman for the British High Commission’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, on Friday.
The statement said the donation was made under the auspices of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) response in the North-East.
It explained that the contribution was part of Ukraine’s humanitarian ‘Grain from Ukraine’ initiative launched by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The statement disclosed that the shipment was made through a collaborative effort from the UK, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, the Republic of Korea and Sweden, who transported it from Ukraine to Nigeria.
According to the statement, the grain intervention was informed by the soaring prices of staple food in Nigeria, pushing basic meals out of reach for millions of vulnerable families nationwide.
“This is a really tough time for many people across the world, including in Nigeria. It is important that we help the most vulnerable populations. The UK is proud to be part of the global community supporting WFP to distribute lifesaving grain across Nigeria, reaching over 600,000 people.
“This contribution will go some way to addressing rising food insecurity driven by conflict and regional instability. We continue to back measures that help reduce its impact in Nigeria, support livelihoods and promote peace.
“Deadly conflicts and persistent violence in northeast Nigeria have driven millions of people out of their homes, off their farms and across the region, jeopardising agriculture and livelihoods production,” said Cynthia Rowe, British High Commission development director.
