U.S. Reaffirms Commitment To Food Security In Nigeria

Posted by Eric Ojo Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, U.S./Canada Thursday, July 28th, 2022

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The United States Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the economic well-being and food security of all Nigerians.

The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard gave the assurance in a statement made available to the media on Wednesday.

Leonard said the U.S. has committed additional $55 million toward food security relief for Nigerians, adding that the amount is part of President Joe Biden’s recent pledge at the G-7 Leader’s Summit in Germany and it is aimed at protecting the most vulnerable nations from an escalating global food crisis.

The fund would be administered through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under its agriculture, nutrition, and humanitarian assistance programmes (and subject to Congressional approval).

In addition, the funds will help immediately address the economic, food, and nutrition needs of vulnerable communities in Nigeria most adversely impacted by higher food, fuel, and fertilizer prices.

The U.S. envoy noted that the United States is committed to mitigating the adverse effect of the current global food crisis on the people of Nigeria.

“We strongly support Nigeria’s economic prosperity and well-being, and our decades-long partnership with the Nigerian government, the private sector, and NGO community to address the country’s most urgent development and humanitarian needs.

“We empathize with the hardships and suffering of Nigerian citizens that have been exacerbated as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its negative impact on food security, and we fully expect President Biden’s initiative will significantly soften the blow of these war-related international price shocks”, she said.

The statement revealed that with this funding initiative, U.S. total investment internationally in combating the global food security crisis since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will reach over $5.6 billion, stressing that the United States will use every tool available to address the humanitarian and long-term impacts of Russia’s war and other such shocks on global food security and nutrition.