The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction on Wednesday began distributing food items and relief materials to about 42,000 vulnerable residents across the 17 local government areas of Yobe State.
The intervention is part of the Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Intervention Programme aimed at addressing hunger, malnutrition and poverty among vulnerable populations across the country.
At the official flag-off ceremony held at the Government House in Damaturu, the Minister of State for the ministry, Yusuf Sununu, described the programme as a strategic response to worsening humanitarian conditions across parts of Nigeria.
Sununu explained that prolonged conflict and the effects of climate change have intensified poverty, food insecurity and vulnerability, particularly among women, children, the elderly and persons living with disabilities.
According to him, the initiative specifically targets internally displaced persons living in camps and host communities, returning families, female-headed households, malnourished children and other at-risk groups.
“This intervention is part of a broader national strategy focused on strengthening social protection mechanisms, enhancing community resilience and supporting the transition from emergency assistance to sustainable livelihoods,” the minister said.
Food items distributed during the first phase of the programme include rice, beans, millet, maize, assorted grains, palm oil, cooking oil, tomatoes, seasoning cubes and salt.
The distribution exercise also complements the Ramadan palliative programme recently approved by the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, to support vulnerable households across the state during the fasting period.
The state intervention is being coordinated by the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olubunmi Olusanya, noted that the programme targets 10 northern states heavily affected by conflict and humanitarian crises.
He assured that strict accountability and monitoring mechanisms had been put in place to ensure transparency and proper distribution of the relief materials.
In his remarks, Buni reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting vulnerable residents.
“Providing food to vulnerable citizens is not merely an act of charity; it is a responsibility and an investment in a better future,” the governor said.
He added that the Presidential Emergency Food and Nutrition Intervention aligns with the state government’s ongoing efforts to reduce economic hardship and improve food security across all 17 local government areas of the state.
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