This warehouse is a crucial lifeline for some Nigerians amid
a spiraling cost of living. But the Lagos Food
Bank is not immune from the economic crisis. It's
been forced to cut back on handouts to residents like
Damilola Salami as supplies from donors have fallen amid soaring
inflation. There is nothing for us to eat.
We are hungry. Our Children are out of school
because of the hike in fees. Now the Children
are at home and there is no food. They
should please have mercy. We are hungry. Nigeria's
economic turmoil has deepened since President Bola Tibo ruled out
bold but unpopular economic reforms after taking office last May
, inflation rose for the 14th straight month in February
to above 30%. A new 28 year high.
Last month, seven people were killed in a crash
at a Lagos food distribution center. Lagos Food Bank
founder Michael Sebola said his facility's major donor had cut
supplies by 93% citing the high cost of food.
But what is our capacity? What can we do
? He said they've had to reduce the number of
people they can help. Now, we're not the
only women now from the age of 50 you know
, some, some so a lot of indices that
are really cut down the number for us to be
able to meet the capacity that we can do part
time. The food bank has also dialed back on
quantities. It now provides families with enough supplies for
a few days at a time when once the parcels
would have lasted two weeks. No hunger initiatives.
A food bank serving mostly internally displaced people in the
capital Abuja faces similar problems. A senior official there
said the number of people seeking handouts has tripled since
May 2023.