Zaks Foundation for Humanity (ZFH), a non-governmental organization, distributed food items to vulnerable communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs on Monday as part of its efforts to alleviate the growing food crisis.
Under its Nutritional Assistance Programme (NAP), the foundation provided essential food packs to women and families in Karu, Jiwa, Idu, and Kwamba communities in Suleja, Niger State. The initiative saw the distribution of 100 food packs to women in Idu and Jiwa and 200 packs to families in Karu and Kwamba, Suleja.
Each food pack contained rice, beans, corn flour, okro seasonings, salt, and vegetable oil.
Speaking during the event, ZFH Chairman, Zakari Aliyu, highlighted the dire economic situation in Nigeria and the urgent need to support vulnerable individuals.
“Poverty, food insecurity, and hunger are alarmingly prevalent in Nigeria, with 40.7% of the population projected to live below the international poverty line by the end of 2024. This crisis is driven by economic downturn, rising inflation, widespread unemployment, and insecurity that has displaced many farmers from their lands,” he stated.
Aliyu cited recent reports showing that 10 million more Nigerians had fallen into poverty since 2023. He called for collective action to address the crisis, emphasizing the importance of partnerships between individuals, corporate entities, and government agencies.
“To tackle this challenge, we must unite in careful planning, sincere efforts, and determination. ZFH has the capacity to make a sustainable impact, but we need support from all sectors to achieve our goals,” he added.
Aliyu also announced that the food distribution initiative would continue in Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa states in the coming days. He described the NAP as a critical lifeline for many and stressed the need for collaborative solutions to address food insecurity.
At the distribution event in Suleja, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Maimuna Garba, expressed her gratitude to the foundation, offering prayers for Allah’s blessings on its chairman and the entire organization.