The World Food Programme (WFP) has made a commitment to support President Tinubu’s Zero Hunger Programme, which falls under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (MHAPA). This announcement was conveyed by David Stevesson, the Country Director of WFP, during a visit to the office of Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, led by a team from the United Nations agency on Tuesday.
Stevesson revealed that 2.1 million Nigerians have already been identified as beneficiaries of the program, with plans to further expand collaboration with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. He expressed WFP’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s initiatives aimed at addressing humanitarian crises and poverty, including food security and the Zero Hunger Programme, among others. Stevesson emphasized that the organization was highly impressed by the proactive approach of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration in combatting poverty and reducing humanitarian challenges in Nigeria. He also commended Dr. Betta Edu for her dynamic leadership in this regard and expressed optimism about achieving significant milestones together.
Stevesson lauded Dr. Edu’s appointment as Minister, describing it as well-deserved, and expressed his dedication to providing full support for her humanitarian and poverty alleviation programs. He highlighted the Minister’s swift and strategic efforts in setting the Ministry’s agenda, which encompassed the eradication of hunger, establishment of humanitarian hubs in every local government area, and collaboration with the World Food Programme to source food locally and facilitate cash transfers and food assistance.
“I am pleased to announce that the World Food Programme has committed $2.5 billion to combat hunger in Nigeria over the next five years,” announced Stevesson.
In response, Dr. Edu expressed her gratitude for the visit by the WFP Country Director and his kind remarks about her. She stressed the dire situation in Nigeria, with over 133 million people affected by multidimensional poverty, and highlighted the significance of WFP’s $2.5 billion intervention over five years in addressing hunger, one of the nation’s most pressing challenges. Dr. Edu underscored the importance of the “Zero Hunger” initiative, a pivotal project within her Ministry’s broader poverty and humanitarian response efforts, and appealed to WFP to collaborate closely with the Ministry to achieve impactful outcomes.
Dr. Edu elaborated on the various aspects of the Zero Hunger Project, including Homegrown School Feeding and nutritional programs targeting pregnant women, children under five, school feeding programs, support for those affected by humanitarian crises, the elderly, and vulnerable populations, including refugees. She emphasized the presence of over 80,000 refugees in Nigeria, with her home state alone hosting more than 40,000 registered refugees. Dr. Edu also introduced the innovative concept of humanitarian hubs, with plans to establish 774 such hubs in every local government area across Nigeria to enhance humanitarian efforts.
