From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Borno State government have created a special fund to tackle malnutrition among children in state.
The special fund tagged Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), was established following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the officials of the Borno government and UNICEF weekend in Maiduguri.
UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Cristian Munduate, said the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) is a resource purse that will address malnutrition among children in the conflict affected areas.
“The CNF is an alternative nutrition financing mechanism to support sustainable programmes, policies and nutrition supplies addressing acute malnutrition in children, also known as child wasting,” said the head of the global body in Nigeria.
Represented by the Chief of Borno Field Office, Tushar Rane, she said UNICEF has contributed to the purse in addition to $100,000 counterpart fund by Borno State government.
She described malnutrition as a tragedy. She said the scourge frequently caused by conflict, climate change and.igmorance, is increasing across the world.
The MOU will also extend to other states of the northeast affected by the over a decade insurgency.
Borno State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr. Babagana Malam commended UNICEF’s commitment to the health and well-beimg of children in the state.
Pic: Borno Budget and Planning Commissioner, Dr Babagana Malam and UNICEF Chief of Borno Field Office, Mr Tushar Rane after the signing of the CNF agreement in Maiduguri