The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has lauded the Adamawa Government for releasing N100
million counterpart fund to intensify the fight against malnutrition.
Phelomena Irene, the UNICEF official in charge of the Bauchi Field Office, made this known during the launch of the Adamawa State Nutrition Policy in Yola.
She said the money would be judiciously used to enhance child nutrition “and to address all forms of malnutrition, particularly wasting, anemia, and stunting.
“Children in Adamawa are experiencing chronic food poverty as exclusive breastfeeding occurs only among 53.3 percent of newborns.”
She explained that only 11.8 percent of children between six and 23 months receive the minimum acceptable diet.
“And only 32.8 percent get minimum dietary diversity, and over 50 percent of women and children are anaemic in the state.”
Irene added that no fewer than 415,625 children under five years suffer acute malnutrition and severe acute malnutrition, saying “this is an extremely dangerous condition.
“We hope that the new policy will provide an overarching framework, covering multiple dimensions of food and nutrition improvement, with a special focus on nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions.”
The UNICEF official advocated strengthening multi-sectoral nutrition governance with efficient and effective coordination at all levels while ensuring accountability and governance arrangements for nutrition at local government levels.
The Adamawa Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, said that the state’s nutrition policy is a blueprint for action.
Represented by his Deputy, Prof. Kaleptapwa Farauta, the governor added that the policy document has outlined a vision where every citizen would have access to adequate nutritious foods
all year round.
He explained that “the policy has set the stage for a coordinated approach, bringing together efforts from agriculture, health, education, water supply, and social development toward improving the nutritional status of our population.”
Fintiri said the state’s Multi-Sectoral Strategic Plan of Action For food and Nutrition translates the policy vision into concrete actions
by enhancing food security, sustained agriculture, and nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive approaches.
He commended UNICEF and other development partners for their efforts toward protecting children, especially their rights to survive, thrive, and reach their potential. (NAN)
