Eko Hot Blog reports that in a concerted effort, the Nigerian government and global partners have unveiled a $306 million appeal to combat the worsening food and nutrition crisis plaguing the Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states.
The initiative aims to expedite the delivery of vital aid, including food, nutrition resources, clean water, healthcare, and protection assistance to vulnerable populations.
Moreover, a staggering 4.8 million individuals in the BAY states are grappling with severe food insecurity, marking the highest level recorded in seven years.
Vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, face heightened risks.
The appeal, titled the “Lean Season Food Security and Nutrition Crisis Multisector Plan,” seeks to provide urgent interventions to 2.8 million of the affected population.
Zubaida Umar, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, emphasized the significance of mobilizing resources to tackle this crisis.
“This initiative complements the Federal Government’s endeavors to prevent deaths resulting from malnutrition-related complications, the adoption of negative coping mechanisms, and various other health-related issues,” Umar stated.
Alarmingly, approximately 700,000 children under the age of five are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition over the next six months, with 230,000 expected to experience severe acute malnutrition, putting their lives at risk.
Expressing deep concern, Dr. Rownak Khan, Acting Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, said, “The alarming rise in severe acute malnutrition among children underscores the urgent need for immediate action. We must ensure that lifesaving nutrition commodities reach every child in need. This is not just a call to action; it is a race against time to save lives and protect the future of millions of vulnerable children.”
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