According to United Nations agencies, soaring prices and stagnant local production are causing a food crisis in West and Central Africa, with nearly 55 million people at risk of hunger in the upcoming months. The World Food Programme, UNICEF, and the Food and Agriculture Organization stated that the number of people facing hunger during the lean season has quadrupled in the last five years, due to economic challenges such as double-digit inflation. Countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Mali are expected to be the worst affected.
The agencies reported that the prices of staple grains have significantly increased across the region, with some areas in northern Mali experiencing catastrophic hunger. They emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent the situation from worsening, and stressed the importance of investing in resilience-building and long-term solutions for the region.
Malnutrition levels are also alarmingly high, particularly among children, with millions of children under five suffering from acute malnutrition. The agencies urged for a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of malnutrition, including improving nutrition, health, and education systems.
The heavy dependence on food imports in the region has further exacerbated the crisis, especially for countries with high inflation rates. The agencies recommended introducing policies to boost local food production and diversification to combat the food and nutrition insecurity in the region.