11-01-2022 | di COOPI

Nigeria. With WFP, to tackle food insecurity in Yobe State

In the Northeast of Nigeria, the conflicts occasioned by activities of non-state armed groups has led to large-scale displacement of people and a major humanitarian emergency. In response, COOPI- Cooperazione Internazionale, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), continues to provide several lifesaving interventions within the project “GFD General Food Distribution and BSFP Blanket Food Distribution in Geidam Damaturu Jukusko and Kaga”, targeting vulnerable individuals in Yobe and Borno communities.

Delivering timely and adequate food assistance to conflict-affected populations is critical to avoid increases in the prevalence of acute malnutrition. Under the current Field-level Agreement - FLA (January to December 2021), COOPI reached about 447,000of conflict-affected individuals across Damaturu, Geidam and Jakusko Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Yobe state and Kaga LGA of Borno state.

On a monthly basis, COOPI carries out General Food Distribution (GFD in-kind) program by delivering food basket items which include: sorghum, beans, corn-soy blend plus (CSB+), vegetable oil, and salt among others.

Among the beneficiaries of the WFP/GFD program, there is Hajja Kori, a 67 years old widow and mother of seven, resident in Ngamdu ward in Kaga LGA. She narrates how WFP and COOPI have been helping her and her seven children to survive. Hajja Kori lost her husband to the dreaded attacks from the armed group in her community.

“I have been dealt terribly by the attacks from Boko Haram, they killed my husband and rendered me and my children homeless for 6 months, I did all I could to ensure my children were fed and clothed. I engaged in multiple jobs just to sustain my family, coupled with some assistance I receive from other organizations, but it was not frequent. Although I was able to afford 2 square meals daily, it was mostly maize, we don’t have the choice of selecting what to eat then, but we were still grateful for having something to eat”

The General food distribution is aimed at supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable host community members, towards ensuring that targeted vulnerable conflict-affected populations can meet their basic food and nutrition requirements.

“Since October 2020 when I became a beneficiary under the World Food Program, it has been a wonderful journey; I have been receiving food ration of different classes and nutritional varieties, this has not only met our basic food needs, but it has also improved our nutritional intake level. My children are now looking better than before, the process is smooth and we don’t have to queue for long before we get our ration. I want to appreciate WFP and also thank COOPI for coming to our aid and providing food to us.” Added Hajja happily.

This intervention helped to save lives and build the resilience of affected communities whose means of sustenance have been cut off as a result of the insurgency which affected most of the Nigerian Northeast.

Photo credit: Deji Daniel