World Food Programme and Humanitarian Affairs Ministry provide cash, food assistance to people hardest hit by COVID-19 (Photos)

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD) are working together to provide cash and food assistance to vulnerable people living in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Mr. Paul Howe (C), Country Director of WFP, is joined by the Director of Human Resource Management, Mr. Abdulrahman Babatunde Jaji, and other stakeholders for the distribution of cash and food assistance in Karmajiji Abuja, Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. WFP Nigeria is supporting Nigeria's growing hunger needs by providing cash and food support so that the most vulnerable do not go hungry

In coordination with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), WFP has been working in communities across Abuja for the last three months to identify the most vulnerable. The intervention provides cash and food to cushion the harsh effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the most vulnerable members in the selected communities. The support covers households in three local councils of Bwari, Gwagwalada and the Abuja Municipal Area Council. The cash assistance was made possible thanks to the generous contribution of the Government of Switzerland and their timely support to WFP’s COVID-19 urban response.

Mr. Paul Howe, Country Director of WFP, is joined by other relevant stakeholders as they arrive at the home of one of the beneficiaries for the distribution of cash and food assistance in Karmajiji, Abuja Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. WFP Nigeria is supporting Nigeria's growing hunger needs by providing cash and food support so that the most vulnerable do not go hungry.

This is the first time WFP is expanding into urban locations in Nigeria to serve families affected by the social and economic impact of COVID-19. The programme is a part of WFP’s mission to save lives and change lives in Nigeria, with the ultimate goal of achieving Zero Hunger by 2030.

At the distribution in Karmajiji, Abuja, on November 20, WFP Representative, Dr. Paul Howe, said the approach adopted is COVID-sensitive, economically smart and sustainable. He noted that all of this could only be achieved in partnership.

Mr. Paul Howe (L), Country Director of WFP, is joined by the Deputy Ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Lukas Schifferle, and the Emir of Garki, HRH, in Karmajiji Abuja, Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. WFP Nigeria is supporting Nigeria's growing hunger needs by providing cash and food support so that the most vulnerable do not go hungry.

Dignitaries with beneficiary, Hadiza Bako, at the distribution of food and cash assistance in Abuja Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. From the right: Danjuma Attah, SA to President on Special Needs in the office of the Humanitarian affairs, Mr. Abdulrahman Babatunde Jaji, representative of the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Lucas Schifferle, Deputy Ambassador of Switzerland in Nigeria, Mr. Paul Howe, Country Director of WFP, HRH, Alhaji Usman Nda-Kupi and the Emir of Garki, Mr. Ibe, representative of FCT Minister of State.

Food items are loaded into a van before they are distributed to COVID-19 urban hotspots in Abuja, Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. WFP Nigeria is supporting Nigeria's growing hunger needs by providing cash and food support so that the most vulnerable do not go hungry.

Food items are loaded into tricycles before they are distributed to households in Karmajiji Abuja, Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. WFP Nigeria is supporting Nigeria's growing hunger needs by providing cash and food support so that the most vulnerable do not go hungry.

Tricycles that are loaded with food items in preparation for distribution in Karmajiji Abuja, Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. WFP Nigeria is supporting Nigeria's growing hunger needs by providing cash and food support so that the most vulnerable do not go hungry.

Tricycles that are loaded with food items in preparation for distribution in Karmajiji Abuja, Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. WFP Nigeria is supporting Nigeria's growing hunger needs by providing cash and food support so that the most vulnerable do not go hungry.

WFP staff member interacts at the home of a beneficiary before the distribution of food and cash grants in Karmajiji, Abuja on November 20th, 2020. In response to Nigeria's growing hunger needs, the WFP is providing cash and food support so that the most vulnerable do not go hungry.

Deputy Country Director of WFP (L), Simone Parchment and Barbara Clemens (R), Head of Programme, deliver food items and cash grant to Kande Awawa in Karmajiji Abuja, Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. Kande is a member of a household who is receiving WFP food support and cash grants as part of a WFP programme to provide cash and food support to the most vulnerable communities in Nigeria.

Deputy Country Director of WFP, Simone Parchment, in a heartfelt moment with beneficiary, Kande Awawa, in Karmajiji Abuja, Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. Kande is a member of a household who is receiving WFP food support and cash grants as part of a WFP programme to provide cash and food support to the most vulnerable communities in Nigeria.

WFP staff members delivering food items and cash grants in Karmajiji Abuja, Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. WFP Nigeria is supporting Nigeria's growing hunger needs by providing cash and food support so that the most vulnerable do not go hungry.

WFP staff members delivering food items and cash grants in Karmajiji Abuja, Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. WFP Nigeria is supporting Nigeria's growing hunger needs by providing cash and food support so that the most vulnerable do not go hungry.

WFP staff members delivering food items and cash grants in Karmajiji Abuja, Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. WFP Nigeria is supporting Nigeria's growing hunger needs by providing cash and food support so that the most vulnerable do not go hungry.

Hadiza Bako, 72 years old, shows her receipt of registration as a beneficiary of the WFP initiative in Karmajiji Abuja, Nigeria on November 20th, 2020. Hadiza is a member of a household who is receiving WFP food support and cash grants as part of a WFP programme to provide cash and food support to the most vulnerable communities in Nigeria.