The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, has provided a nutrient-dense local porridge blend known as ‘Tom Brown’ to vulnerable internally displaced persons (IDPs) in an effort to combat acute malnutrition among households displaced by conflicts in Plateau State, Nigeria.
According to the FAO’s post, the UN agency is sharing this easy-to-prepare and highly nutritious porridge with IDPs in the local government areas of Barkin-Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu.
Tom Brown is a traditional Nigerian porridge made from a blend of cereals, legumes, and other locally sourced ingredients rich in essential nutrients. Its nutrient density makes it an ideal food aid intervention to address malnutrition concerns, especially among children and nursing mothers in IDP camps.
“The porridge is easy to prepare, very nutritious & they love it,” the FAO stated, highlighting the porridge’s appeal and acceptance among the displaced communities.
Plateau has seen waves of deadly intercommunal clashes in recent years, forcing thousands to flee their homes and villages. Many IDPs taking refuge in camps suffer from lack of food and malnutrition.
The distribution of Tom Brown porridge is part of the FAO’s broader efforts to support food security and improve the nutritional status of conflict-affected populations in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, where intercommunal clashes have displaced thousands of families.
The intervention also aligns with the FAO’s mandate to promote sustainable food systems and leverage locally-available resources to address food insecurity and malnutrition in crisis-affected communities.z
