US donates $32.5m to support food aid in Nigeria

The United States Government has announced a donation of $32.5 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) to boost food and nutrition assistance for communities affected by conflict in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the US Embassy in Nigeria said the funding will go toward providing essential food aid and nutrition support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the North-East and North-West regions of the country.

The Embassy explained that the intervention is aimed at saving lives, reducing hunger, and alleviating the suffering of vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, who remain the hardest hit by the ongoing crises.

“With this contribution, WFP Nigeria will provide food and nutrition assistance to 764,205 beneficiaries across conflict-affected areas, including complementary nutrition top-ups for 41,569 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls, and 43,235 children through electronic food vouchers,” the statement read.

In August, the United States announced a $93 million emergency food assistance programme for 13 nations, including 12 in Africa, to address worsening hunger and malnutrition.

The US Department of State said the programme will provide ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for nearly one million children suffering from severe malnutrition.

According to the US government, some of the benefiting countries are Haiti, Mali, Niger, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Kenya, and Chad.

In a press briefing, the principal deputy spokesperson for the US state department, said the aid will also cover essential food commodities, targeted nutritional support, and emergency logistics.

“Today marks the first 200 days of the Trump Administration, and with it 200 days of delivering results and real wins for the American people. Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rubio, the United States is restoring strength, securing prosperity, and standing up for American interests on the world stage,” Pigott said.

The announcement comes two months after the closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Trump administration’s cost-cutting reforms a move that drew criticism from former US leaders and global health experts.