Faced with a new wave of displacement following recent Boko Haram attacks in Niger’s south-eastern Diffa region and with needs on the rise, the United Nations food relief agency announced plans to double its food and nutrition assistance, aiming to gradually increase its life-saving support to more than 250,000 people in Niger’s embattled southern region.
In recent days, the World Food Program (WFP) distributed 15-day emergency food rations to more than 1,400 newly displaced people finding refuge in Diffa town, says a UN press release.
This week, food assistance is on its way for thousands more newly displaced people at sites between Diffa and Bosso towns, with 157 metric tons on the move.
As the situation of the newly displaced people becomes clearer, WFP plans to continue reaching those most in need in Diffa town and at displaced people’s sites at Ngagam, Kintchandi and Garim Wazam.
More than 240,000 people have been displaced in Diffa region. A total of 450,000 people in the region – nearly 70 percent of the population – face hunger. With the onset of the lean season, WFP is concerned that hunger can only deepen.
To date, WFP provided food and nutrition assistance to some 136,000 refugees, displaced people and vulnerable host communities.
WFP urgently requires $20 million for the next six months to assist people affected by the Lake Chad crisis.