Aid agencies on Tuesday reported that West Africa is facing worst food crisis on record driven by conflicts, drought and the impact of the war in Ukraine.
A total of 11 aid organisations made this known in a joint statement issued in Dakar, adding that there are about 27 million people suffering from hunger in the region and that the
number can increase to 38 million by June.
According to the statement, large swathes of West Africa, including parts of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, are facing insurgencies that have forced millions of people off their land, and identified Chad among countries most affected by hunger.
It added that the region had also seen worsening floods and droughts due to the effects of climate change, making it harder to farm.
West Africa’s Food Crisis Prevention Network said cereal production in 2021/2022 was down 39 per cent year-on-year in Niger and 15 per cent in Mali.
The network added that global food prices surged and trade had been disrupted due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
It said border closures due to COVID-19 have also had a negative impact.
Assalama Dawalack Sidi, Oxfam’s regional director for West and Central Africa said “What is new and worsening is mainly all the displaced people and abandoned land because of conflict, but also we are witnessing new drivers.”
Sidi warned that the Ukraine war also risks redirecting much needed funding from the regions.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said
Six West African countries import 30-50 per cent of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine.
“Many donors have already indicated that they may cut funding for Africa to pay for refugees in Europe.”
