5.5 Million Children Suffer Severe Malnutrition in Northern Nigeria – UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that no fewer than 5.5 million children in Northern Nigeria are suffering from severe and acute malnutrition.
This alarming figure was disclosed by UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Christian Munduate, during a news briefing in Gusau on Wednesday, following an interactive session with stakeholders at Gidanwada Model Primary School in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Munduate highlighted the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address the socioeconomic challenges facing Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. According to her, these states require $15 million to improve the quality of life for their citizens.
Expressing concern over malnourished children and nursing mothers, she said that children, mothers, and other Nigerians deserve quality education, healthcare, and nutrition.
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She also identified open defecation, which is practiced by at least 40 million Nigerians, as a significant contributor to disease outbreaks.
UNICEF, she noted, has collaborated with the Federal Government and Zamfara State to support 50 functional Primary Healthcare Centers.
“All the PHCs are functional. We believe that they can maintain them to serve the people’s needs,” she said.
“We will be around to provide technical support to ensure sustainability,” Munduate add.
