DFID supports northeast with N18.5billion to fight malnutrition

The UK Department for International Development (DFID) has supported Northeast of Nigeria with 18.5 billion naira to fight Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), a life- threatening condition.

According to Nutrition Sector annual projections, an estimated 371,000 boys and girls under the age of 5 in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states will suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).

Speaking at a two day media dialogue on child malnutrition, organized by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and supported by DFID in Boron, UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Aminu Usman said although, DFID has invested 18.5 billion naira to combat malnutrition in the Northeast, there is a funding gap of 4.billion naira.

Usman, however opined that, there is urgent need for government at all level to mobilize resources to bridge the gap of 4.4 Billion Naira funding to procure Ready To Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to rescue children from untimely death.

According to him, “DFID has given 35 million pounds for Field project which is flexible integrated timely response on sectorial project. They have also provided 5 million pounds to provide for the wind project that is working to improve nutrition in Northern Nigeria which is implemented in Yobe state.

“5 billion Naira is needed to necessitate the procurement of 258,950 cartons of Ready To Use Therapeutic Food for the  SAM treatment.

“Funding has been secured for 29,314 cartons of RTUF ther is a funding gap of 4.4 Billion Naira for the procurement of RTUF”, he stressed.

Also, the Deputy Director and Head, Child Rights Bureau, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Olumide Osanyinpeju said that Nigeria’s future depends on producing children who are well prepared to take their place in tomorrow’s society.

He added that, most unfortunately, a large number of these children are at risk of deprivations of basic social amenities, of which nutrition is inclusive; and especially in the Northern rural and hard-to-reach communities. Majority of these children are also living in conflict, and communities under emergencies, and it has been difficult taking indeed all basic amenities to them.

This, calls to mind the need for us to specifically address malnutrition in children because it directly impacts on their survival and development.