Saudi Arabia, NEMA launch $1.5 million food aid scheme for Nigerians

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Abuja has launched the 2026 Food Aid Project for Nigerians affected by displacement, insecurity, and other humanitarian challenges.

The project was launched in Damaturu, Yobe State, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), in partnership with the **National Emergency Management Agency **(NEMA).

The development marks another phase of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian intervention in Nigeria, particularly in communities grappling with the effects of insurgency, communal conflicts and other emergencies that have disrupted livelihoods and increased food insecurity.

The project will distribute 24,302 food baskets, each weighing about 60 kilogrammes and containing essential food items such as rice, cooking oil, white beans, salt, and other staple commodities.

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Valued at over $1.5 million, the intervention is expected to benefit 145,812 vulnerable persons across Nigeria, bringing relief to thousands of households struggling with rising food costs and economic hardship.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Zubaida Umar, the director-general of NEMA, promised that the food items would reach the intended beneficiaries.

Mrs Umar explained that the food baskets would be distributed across the five intervention states of Yobe, Benue, Anambra, Kebbi, and Taraba, noting that the initiative aligns with NEMA’s mandate to coordinate disaster response and humanitarian assistance nationwide.

The latest intervention builds on previous humanitarian support provided by KSrelief in Nigeria.

Over the years, the Saudi humanitarian agency has implemented several relief programmes, including food assistance, healthcare interventions and support for people displaced by conflict and natural disasters.

These efforts have targeted vulnerable populations in the North-east and the Lake Chad Basin region, where humanitarian needs remain significant.

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For many beneficiaries, the food aid comes as a timely lifeline.

One of the beneficiaries, Hawwa Mohammed, a mother from Damaturu who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES by phone, thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and NEMA for their support.

“This assistance has come at the right time for my family. Feeding our children has become very difficult because of the high cost of food. These items will help us greatly and reduce our burden. We appreciate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and NEMA for remembering people like us,” she said.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been supporting vulnerable populations in Nigeria and strengthening food security in crisis-affected communities.

Observers say the partnership between KSrelief and NEMA highlights the growing importance of international cooperation in addressing humanitarian challenges and providing relief to populations facing displacement, poverty and food insecurity.

The programme is expected to continue in the coming weeks as food baskets are distributed to identified beneficiaries across the five participating states.