The Federal Government has launched an emergency food and nutrition relief programme in Niger State and unveiled a new long term strategy to lift vulnerable households out of poverty.
The intervention is part of the Presidential Initiative for Food and Nutrition Assistance and is being implemented through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.
At the flag off in Niger State, officials began distributing bags of grains and nutrition support items to vulnerable families affected by rising food prices, insecurity, and loss of livelihoods.
The government said the programme is designed not only to provide immediate food assistance but also to link beneficiaries to broader social protection schemes.
Under the new framework, households receiving food support are expected to be enrolled into conditional cash transfers, livelihood support, skills training, and small business programmes.
The Federal Government is also expanding and updating the National Social Register to better identify and track poor and vulnerable families across the country.
Officials stressed that the goal is to ensure that families supported with food today are assisted to become more resilient and eventually exit poverty, rather than returning to crisis after each relief phase.
They acknowledged funding and humanitarian challenges but assured that efforts would continue to prevent widening gaps in assistance and to coordinate with states and partners for sustainable impact.
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