The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has raised the alarm over escalating food insecurity in North-East Nigeria, revealing that more than 3.7 million people in conflict-affected areas are currently struggling to access enough food.
In a statement released on Monday, Aliyu Dawobe, the ICRC’s Public Relations Officer, said many of those affected were once farmers who supported their communities but have been displaced by years of armed conflict.
The statement highlighted how ongoing violence has forced families from their homes, limited access to farmlands, and disrupted local food production systems, deepening the region’s hunger crisis.
Diana Japaridze, Head of the ICRC Office in Maiduguri, expressed concern over the increasing pressure on vulnerable households as the lean season sets in and food reserves rapidly decline.
“This is the period when families must begin buying food, but many conflict-affected households simply can’t afford it; they’re forced to drastically limit their intake,” she said.
She noted that the worsening food insecurity is driving a surge in malnutrition, particularly among children under five, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Ms Japaridze added that the ICRC has responded by launching an agricultural assistance programme, supporting malnutrition stabilisation centres, and providing community education initiatives to help families care for vulnerable children.
“This year alone, more than 21,000 farming households have received seeds adapted to local conditions, along with planting tools to ease labour and improve efficiency,” she explained.
She said the support included training and a mix of field crops and vegetables such as rice, maize, tomato, and okra, all aimed at increasing dietary diversity and nutritional value.
“At a systemic level, and in collaboration with the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), we recently repaired a vital water source to ensure continuous access for the council’s seed testing and greenhouse facilities,” she added.
Despite these efforts, Ms Japaridze warned that the lean season remained a critical challenge for many farmers, who still could not produce enough to feed their families.
Community voices emphasised the urgency on the ground. Modu Umar, a community leader in Dikwa, said, “Right now, we face severe food shortages.”
“Some families walk long distances daily just to collect and sell firewood to afford food. Farming is the only real solution.”
Churi Ibrahim, a 70-year-old farmer from Gajibo, highlighted the ongoing security risks, stating, “Some people trek three hours just to reach their farms. By the time you get there, you’re exhausted, and returning home takes even longer.”
Despite the fear and hardship, local farmers remained determined.
“Even when they’re afraid, they still go,” said Bintu Konto, a mother of five. “If we don’t farm during the rainy season, we’ll have nothing to eat.”
(NAN)