WFP says millions in Central Sahel, Nigeria face food crisis after funding cut

By Anjali Sharma

UNITED NATIONS – World Food Programme warned on Friday that potentially life-saving food and nutrition assistance in Central Sahel and Nigeria will have to end next month, unless emergency funds can be secured.

WFP noted in a press release issued in New York that the crisis is being exacerbated by the expected early arrival of the lean season the period between harvests when hunger peaks.

The chronic hunger is being driven by conflict, displacement, economic instability and severe climate shocks, WFP said, with devastating floods in 2024 affecting over six million people across West Africa.

It noted the funding shortfalls will force the agency to suspend food assistance for two million crisis-affected people, including Sudanese refugees in Chad, Malian refugees in Mauritania, internally displaced persons and vulnerable food-insecure families in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.

Margot van der Velden, WFP’s Regional Director for Western Africa said “With millions expected to face emergency levels of hunger at the peak of the lean season, the world must step up support to prevent this situation from getting out of control.”

WFP requires $620 million to ensure the ongoing support to crisis-affected people across the Sahel and in Nigeria over the next 6 months.

It estimated 52.7 million women, men and children are projected to experience acute hunger between June and August 2025, according to the latest projected regional food security analysis.

The proportion of the population facing extreme hunger is projected to increase by over 20 per cent by June 2025 despite the growing needs in West and Central Africa.

WFP underscored that it is being forced to regularly make the difficult decision to cut rations, effectively taking from the hungry to feed the starving as the needs are chronically underfunded.

In Chad, the influx of refugees arriving from Sudan is placing enormous pressure on limited resources, fuelling tension and competition between communities.

The agency stressed concerns as the country enters its sixth consecutive year of severe food insecurity in 2025, with more than a 200 percent increase since 2020.

Nigeria, the prolonged humanitarian crisis, worsened by high inflation and weather-related shocks, is endangering the lives of children, pregnant women and entire communities.

During the June-August lean season, 33.1 million Nigerians are expected to face severe food shortages.

WFP is working with national governments to assess and adapt its response to ensure urgent assistance reaches the most vulnerable.

It called for safe and unhindered access to crisis-affected families.

“We need to act now to allow WFP to reach those in need with timely support. Inaction will have severe consequences for the region and beyond, as food security is national security,” Ms. van der Velden warned.