The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced that it would seek to improve the survival of children affected by conflict.
It will improve dietary practices and provide high-impact lifesaving nutrition interventions, such as early identification and referral of acute malnutrition cases for treatment—and micronutrients supplementation to prevent infections among children.
The Multisectoral Integrated Nutrition Action (MINA) project, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK Government and implemented by UNICEF and other partners in 24 Local Government Areas of Borno and Yobe State from 2018 till march 25
According to the data from the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASH NORM 2021), shows that about four per cent of Borno's population has access to improved water sources and two per cent in Yobe have access to safely managed drinking water. Up to 1.1 million people across the region still practice open defecation, a risk factor for malnutrition and stunting in children.
The Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) programme, which has been highly successful in reducing malnutrition and improving health in children, will be expanded to reach more disadvantaged communities. Roving “nutrition ambassadors” midwives who have received special training on nutrition issues will travel to remote areas of the country where most children are malnourished.
“The first 1000 days of life of a child is an unmatched window of opportunity. UNICEF is grateful for the support of the FCDO to invest early in the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in the world,’’ said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria.“It is heartwarming that through the capacity building and empowerment approach of this project, thousands of children will benefit from this intervention in the long term,’’ said Cristian Munduate.
“It is heartwarming that through the capacity building and empowerment approach of this project, thousands of children will benefit from this intervention in the long term,’’