The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a stark warning that 47 million people across the region could face a severe food crisis between June and August 2025 if urgent action is not taken.
Rising Hunger Levels Across West Africa
Currently, 34.7 million people are already in need of immediate food and nutrition assistance. The situation has worsened due to persistent conflicts, climate change, and economic challenges affecting food production and distribution.
During the third meeting of the Management Committee of the Regional Food Security Reserve (RFSR), ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs. Massandjé Toure-Litse, raised concerns over the alarming food insecurity levels.
Represented by Mr. Mohammed Zongo, she emphasized the urgent need for stronger emergency response mechanisms while also focusing on long-term solutions to build resilience.
Malnutrition on the Rise
Toure-Litse highlighted that acute malnutrition rates in some parts of West Africa and the Sahel range between 10% and 14%, signaling a growing humanitarian crisis.
If no swift action is taken, millions could be left without access to basic food supplies, worsening the already dire conditions in vulnerable communities.
The Way Forward
ECOWAS has urged governments and stakeholders to ramp up food production, strengthen supply chains, and invest in long-term food security measures to prevent a full-blown crisis.
The regional body is also calling for increased international support to address the worsening situation.
As the mid-2025 deadline approaches, the question remains: Will West African leaders act fast enough to prevent mass hunger?
Stay tuned to NIGPOST for more updates on this developing situation.
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