Emmanuel OchayiThe Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) has issued a grave warning, stating that the country’s hunger crisis has hit a critical point, demanding immediate action and unified efforts to ease the suffering of vulnerable people.
“Every day, we witness the devastating impact of hunger on families across Nigeria,” declared Dr. Abubakar Ahmed Kende, Secretary General of NRCS, during an address in Abuja.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“We can no longer ignore the signs of distress. The time for action is now,” Dr. Kende emphasized, stressing the urgent need for government intervention.
The warning follows widespread protests throughout the nation, including in Ibadan, where demonstrators demanded solutions to food scarcity and the rising cost of living.
Dr. Kende, speaking at the launch of a collaboration between the Red Cross and Ecobank to tackle the hunger crisis, highlighted how soaring fuel prices have led to hyperinflation, pushing food prices beyond the reach of many Nigerians.
According to Dr. Kende, 26.5 million Nigerians, including women and children, are facing acute hunger and urgently require assistance to prevent further suffering and loss of life. He cited factors such as insecurity, inflation, extreme weather, and global conflicts as contributing to the crisis.
Of particular concern is the impact on children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, with nearly 4.41 million children and 585,000 mothers suffering from acute malnutrition. Dr. Kende lamented the grim reality that approximately 1,000 Nigerian children die daily due to malnutrition-related causes.
Following its mandate outlined in the Nigerian Red Cross Act of 1960, NRCS is swiftly responding to mitigate the crisis. With a network of 800,000 community-based volunteers across the country, the organization stands ready to provide aid, even in the most challenging circumstances.
Dr. Kende urged individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations to join forces in supporting government efforts at all levels to address the crisis. He emphasized the collective responsibility in tackling the humanitarian emergency, asserting that united action could bring hope and save lives amid the prevailing challenges.
As the hunger crisis continues to escalate, the call for urgent action grows louder, with the NRCS leading the charge to alleviate the suffering of millions of Nigerians in need.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
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