In a bid to tackle the escalating food insecurity crisis in Nigeria, the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has launched an emergency appeal to raise N2.5 billion. In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Communications and Advocacy, Chima Nwankwo, on Sunday, NRCS said it has launched the fundraiser appeal with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) .
The statement noted that the initiative themed: “Keeping Humanity Alive,” aims to provide critical support to vulnerable individuals across the country, focusing on enhancing livelihoods, health , nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in severely affected regions. NRCS, citing a report, said over 31.5 million Nigerians are projected to face food insecurity by October 2024.
The organisation said: “According to widely circulated reports, unless emergency steps are activated and implemented, over 31.5 million Nigerians will face food insecurity between January and October 2024. Factors such as conflict, inflation, and economic challenges are worsening the situation.
“More research shows that by October 2024, prices of staple foods like grains will have at least tripled according to relative market indices. The Famine Early Warning System reports that between September 2023 and now, severe acute malnutrition among children has increased by at least 70 per cent,” he said. It further revealed that these projections from the research have indicated th.