By Segun Adewale, Bauchi
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has confirmed the release of N300 million by the Bauchi State as its contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), as part of efforts to eradicate severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children under the age of five in the state, reports thegazellenews.com
Thegazellenews.com reports that the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) is a basket fund managed by UNICEF on behalf of various donors and designed to boost investments in child nutrition and tackle malnutrition across the country.
The Chief of Field Office (BFO), UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique who disclosed this during an interactive session with Journalists at the UNICEF Office yesterday, added that “UNICEF would also provide a matching sum of N300m, bringing the total intervention fund to N600m for the procurement of the foods and other items required for the fight against malnutrition”
According to her, “the money is part of efforts to eradicate severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among children below the age of five in the state.
“We are grateful to His Excellency, the Governor of Bauchi State, for releasing the promised N200m to UNICEF. We also appreciate ALGON for the N100m it released for the programme, making a total of N300 million.
“The release of the fund coincided with the familiarisation visit of the new UNICEF Nigeria, Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, to the Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, during which the issue was discussed”
“UNICEF would also provide a matching sum of N300m, bringing the total intervention fund to N600 million for the procurement of the foods and other items required for the fight against malnutrition.
“This is a great milestone in our advocacy efforts. UNICEF will match the same amount, which will significantly help in tackling malnutrition in the stoate,”
“ALGON also contributed N100 million to the fund, the intervention would support the procurement of nutrition supplies, ready-to-use therapeutic food, to save malnourished children,” she said
The UNICEF CFO said that the Governor had promised to increase the state’s contribution to N1 billion next year, which UNICEF also pledged to match.
Nuzhat Rafique stressed on the need for long-term strategies, including behavioural change and local solutions, to prevent malnutrition stressing that it is easier and better to prevent than to fight it.
“UNICEF’s focus was not only on treatment but also on promoting proper child feeding practices and maternal care from conception through the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
“The desire of UNICEF is that no child should suffer malnutrition. It affects physical growth, cognitive development, and overall well-being. Prevention is better than treatment. We must work with traditional leaders, LGAs, religious leaders, and communities to change the narrative,” she added
Nuzhat Rafique commended Journalists covering UNICEF activities for the sustained media coverage and advocacy that has been yielding positive results particularly the issue of the CNF which has now been put to rest with the release of the funds.
The UNICEF CFO then urged Journalists not to relent in the partnership with UNICEF in the bid to create a healthy environment for children and women.
