WFP Nigeria funding in crisis

THE UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) could in a few weeks run out of funding to feed millions living on the brink of famine in Nigeria.

Four people familiar with the matter said the situation was intensifying one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.

In the northeast, 4.7 million people, many of them refugees from the conflict with Islamist insurgency Boko Haram, need rations to survive, according to the WFP.

Many of those living in camps for displaced people say they already barely get enough to eat.

“With the money they have right now, and if they won’t cut rations, they can only go to May 18,” one person, who asked not be named, said, citing talks with the WFP. The WFP was “reasonably certain” it would get enough funding to last until late June, the person added.

“All humanitarian crises globally are woefully underfunded and WFP Nigeria is in one of the worst situations for funding,” a WFP spokeswoman said.

“We are trying to save lives. We need over the next six months $207-million (R2.8-billion) for Nigeria. At the moment, the programme is 13% funded for 2017. It’s extremely low. Of the four countries facing famine, it is the least funded.”

Famine aid organisations point to two years missed crop harvests and the high likelihood missing a third.

The approaching rainy season also increases the risk of disease spreading, especially within camps for the displaced.

In a meeting with the WFP in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, donor countries and organisations criticised the WFP for not having a satisfactory contingency plan if funding starts to dry up.

The WFP spokeswoman said meetings with donors were genial, open and frank.

“When we are funded and able to get out to the field we are getting to people. This crisis can be averted and we want people to understand this will work if it’s funded. We can avert the famine.” — Reuters of of