UNICEF donates 2, 254 cartons of children nutritious foods to Borno govt
By Ladi Dapson
The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has donated 2,254 cartons of life saving nutrition read-to-use Therapeutic to fight malnutrition among children and pregnant women as results of 16 years of insurgency crisis.
Our Correspondent had earlier reported how UNICEF raised alarms of some individuals reselling and diverting the RUTF commodity in Yobe and Yobe states.
Speaking shortly after the handover, the Acting UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Joseph Senesie mentioned that the foods were procured through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) for the treatment of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
He however stated that “with this support, thousands of children affected by the most threatening form of malnutrition now have renewed chance to survive and strive”.
Senesie urged the state government to sustain the momentum by contributing to the 2025 CNF appeal in order to protect the most vulnerable children across the state.
“The issue is going out of hand, where either traders, transporters, and some workers being found involved or caught for misusing or diverting supplies, which is a major issue to UNICEF” Senesie had said.
Also, the Borno state government warned parents against reselling
Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) donated by the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund.
The state commissioner of Health, Baba Mallam Gana, gave the warning while appreciating UNICEF for the items, revealing that over two million children in the North east are facing mal-nutrition.
He called on parents to ensure that the children whom the products are meant for, enjoy the supply for the benefit of their health and growth.
He said “The issue of Malnutrition is a big problem, not just in Borno state, but North east Nigeria. For example in North east, we have over two million children who are suffering from mal-nutrition, out of which half a million, are facing acute Malnutrition.
“We ask you (parents) in the name of God not to sell them. It is for the benefit of your children, giving to them free.” he said.
