UNICEF and Borno Government Join Forces to Combat Child Malnutrition
In a significant move to address the pressing issue of child malnutrition in Borno State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Borno State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The partnership aims to combat child malnutrition through the provision of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) to children under five years, as well as pregnant and lactating women.
Dr. Tushar Rane, UNICEF Chief, Borno Field Office, praised the Borno Government for its commitment to combating malnutrition, citing the payment of $100,000 as a counterpart fund to the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF). He emphasized that this investment would ensure the survival of children in the state.
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According to the 2023 Northeast Nutrition and Food Security Surveillance (NFSS) round 13, Borno has a Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) prevalence of 10%, followed by Adamawa at 8.0%, and Yobe at 4.0%. UNICEF estimates that over 1.5 million children are wasting, with 511,807 suffering from severe wasting in 2024. Stunting is also a significant public health concern in the region, with Borno having a prevalence rate of 25.7%, Adamawa at 23.1%, and Yobe at 32.1% among children under five years.
Commissioner of Budget and Planning, Babagana Malumbe, represented the Borno Government and lauded UNICEF’s intervention. He highlighted that the fight against malnutrition aligns with the state government’s development plan, which aims to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This partnership marks a crucial step towards addressing the critical issue of child malnutrition in Borno State and the wider region.
