Abuja, June 23, 2026 – A humanitarian food assistance initiative supported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been launched in Nigeria to provide relief to thousands of vulnerable households affected by displacement, insecurity and other socio-economic challenges.
Details of the programme were disclosed in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in Abuja.
The intervention is being implemented by the Saudi Embassy through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Under the project, 24,302 food baskets weighing about 60 kilograms each will be distributed to beneficiaries. The packages contain essential food items such as rice, cooking oil, beans, salt and other staple commodities.
The initiative, valued at more than 1.5 million dollars, is expected to reach 145,812 people across various communities, offering support to families grappling with food shortages.
Speaking at the inauguration of the programme in Damaturu, Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring that the relief materials are delivered efficiently and transparently to designated beneficiaries.
She noted that the programme aligns with NEMA’s responsibility to coordinate disaster management and humanitarian interventions nationwide.
According to Umar, the food items will be distributed in five beneficiary states: Yobe, Benue, Anambra, Kebbi and Taraba.
She described the initiative as another demonstration of Saudi Arabia’s continued support for humanitarian efforts in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region.
Through KSrelief, the Saudi government has maintained a series of relief interventions aimed at improving food security and easing the hardship faced by communities affected by crises.
Umar further emphasised that the collaboration between NEMA and KSrelief highlights the value of international partnerships in responding to humanitarian needs and strengthening support systems for vulnerable populations.
KSrelief is an international humanitarian organisation established to coordinate and deliver relief assistance to communities impacted by emergencies and disasters around the world.
Its interventions span several sectors, including food security, shelter, camp management, education, healthcare, nutrition, water and sanitation, logistics, protection services, emergency telecommunications and humanitarian coordination, helping communities rebuild and recover from crises.