- West Africa’s Escalating Hunger Crisis
- FAO Reports Alarming Food Insecurity Rise
- Urgent Action Needed to Combat Regional Hunger
A sharp rise in food insecurity has been reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in West Africa. The number of affected individuals has increased from 15 million in 2020 to 50 million in 2025. This crisis has been linked to conflict, climate change, and economic shocks. Food production and supply chains have been severely disrupted. In 2024, severe flooding was experienced in 15 countries across West and Central Africa, affecting nearly seven million people.
In Nigeria alone, 850,000 metric tons of food were destroyed by floods. This loss would have been enough to feed eight million people for six months. A shift from short-term humanitarian aid to sustainable solutions has been emphasized by the FAO. Greater investments in agriculture, climate-resilient seeds, and improved irrigation systems are needed. With only five years left to achieve the global target of zero hunger by 2030, urgent action is required. Efforts from donor agencies, governments, and private sector stakeholders must be coordinated to prevent further deterioration.
