The European Union (EU) in furtherance of its socioeconomic assistance to less-privileged people globally today announced its allocation of N900 million to help fight malnutrition in some states in Northern Nigeria.
The EU, in a statement signed by the Press and Information Officer in Abuja Mr. Modestus Chukwulaka, listed the beneficiary states as Adamawa, Borno, Taraba, Yobe, Benue, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
He stated that the funding support was in response to the increasingly worrisome level of malnutrition cases in the region and that initiative was aimed at providing emergency assistance to children and mothers suffering from acute malnutrition in the region.
Chukwulaka pointed out that the fund would enable the Nigeria Red Cross Society to assist approximately 170,000 households affected by or at risk of malnutrition in the affected states and other parts of the country
He stated: “The aid will specifically support life-saving activities for over 30,000 children in urgent need of treatment. Community outreach and screening will be integrated with outpatient care for uncomplicated severe cases.
“This will be done by using ready-to-use therapeutic food, while the most complex cases will be referred to health centres for specialised care, all in accordance with national health protocols.
“The Red Cross will expand its health and nutrition interventions while contributing to improving the medium-term resilience of the affected families and intensifying efforts in water protection, sanitation and hygiene.
“This funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)” the spokesperson added.
Chukwulaka disclosed that Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in the Northeast, and Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara states in the Northwest had an estimated 5.44 million children under five who were acutely malnourished.
He further clarified: “Two million are projected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition requiring lifesaving treatment, especially during the peak of the lean season from June to September.
“The nutrition crisis is worsening, driven by ongoing conflict and growing insecurity.
“This has led to prolonged displacement, a loss of livelihoods, and a significant reduction in vulnerable families’ access to essential healthcare services”, he added
The spokesperson maintained that the ugly situation was further compounded by economic pressures and climate-related shocks, including flooding and suboptimal maternal and child feeding practices.