The United States will invest an additional $55 million in food security relief for Nigerians as part of President Biden’s recent pledge at the G-7 Leader’s Summit in Germany to protect the most vulnerable nations from an escalating global food crisis.
A statement by the US Embassy in Abuja explains that the funds will be administered through the U.S. Agency for International Development USAID under its agriculture, nutrition, and humanitarian assistance programs is to immediately help in addressing the economic, food and nutrition needs of vulnerable communities in Nigeria that were adversely impacted by higher food, fuel, and fertilizer prices.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, reaffirmed the commitment of the United States and the American people to improving the economic well-being and food security of all Nigerians.
She empathised 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 expressed the hope that President Biden’s initiative will significantly soften the blow of the war-related international price shocks.
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.
The statement added that the United States would 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.
RN
