According to the UN World Food Organization (WFP), nearly 345 million people worldwide are currently acutely food insecure– a massive increase of more than 200 million people compared to pre-pandemic estimates. 50 million people are close to famine.
The global food crisis hits the poorest and most fragile countries the hardest. Therefore, Denmark is contributing 100 million DKK (Euro 13.4 million) to urgent humanitarian efforts and food aid in four Sahel countries which are currently experiencing a serious food crisis namely: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and north-eastern Nigeria (the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe which among other things borders Niger).
The Danish Minister for Development, Flemming Møller Mortensen states: "We will continue to focus heavily on Russia's war in Ukraine. However, we have not forgotten the other deeply serious humanitarian crises worldwide, which are affected the most by the global food crisis. We must continue to further support the populations of the Sahel and north-eastern Nigeria with emergency and life-saving aid". The funds are realised through contributions to the UN World Food Programme, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Danish NGOs in Mali. In addition, the humanitarian activities with Danish strategic NGO partners in Mali are strengthened.
Facts:
The UN World Food Program (WFP) in Mali and Burkina Faso: DKK 40 million.
Danish NGOs in Mali: DKK 20 million DKK
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Niger: DKK 20 million.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Nigeria: 20 million DKK
In total: 100 million DKK
Last year, Denmark contributed approximately. 172 million DKK in humanitarian aid to the Sahel through, among other things to The UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Danish strategic partners.
The additional humanitarian funds will have a special focus on food security and nutrition, including access to water and sanitation, as well as improving the general humanitarian situation in the countries where the needs are greatest. The contributions will be given to the UN World Food Program (WFP), the UN Children's Organization (UNICEF), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Danish strategic NGO partners with existing humanitarian activities in Mali.
The additional funds will - together with existing contributions through strategic partnership agreements with UNHCR, UNFPA and Danish NGOs - bring the total Danish humanitarian contribution to the Sahel and north-eastern Nigeria to DKK 216.9 million in 2022.
Contact: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' press service for more information via [email protected]
