Northeast Nigeria Faces Deepening Food Crisis Amid Aid Cuts

Thousands in Nigeria's northeast face catastrophic food shortages due to aid cuts, worsening malnutrition in the region. The U.N. World Food Programme highlights impacts on Borno state with 15,000 people at risk. Funding shortfalls pressured by global policy shifts threaten millions beyond coping capacity.

The northeast region of Nigeria is on the brink of a severe food crisis, as aid reductions exacerbate malnutrition threats, according to the U.N. World Food Programme. Thousands are at risk of facing catastrophic food shortages for the first time in nearly a decade.

Approximately 15,000 people in Borno state, already beset by ongoing militant conflict, are among the most vulnerable. Across West and Central Africa, 55 million confront severe food shortages, primarily impacting Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.

The situation has worsened following recent aid cuts from Western countries, including the U.S. and the U.K., who have redirected funds to defense spending. Reduced humanitarian assistance has aggravated hunger and malnutrition, impacting over 300,000 children in Nigeria alone. Urgent funding of over $453 million is required to sustain aid efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)