•UNICEF seeks urgent intervention to reverse trend
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Gusau
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that nearly 5.4 million children aged 0-59 months in the North West and North East regions are grappling with acute malnutrition, with 1.8 million suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
This crisis is particularly severe in Zamfara State, where out of 1.2 million children, a staggering 250,000 are affected.
UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, gave this startling revelation when she wrapped up a two-day visit to Zamfara State aimed at addressing the urgent challenges faced by children in the region.
Munduate’s visit focused on several key objectives: assessing the situation of children in education, health, and nutrition; showcasing the impact of UNICEF’s ongoing programmes; engaging media to amplify stories from the field; and strengthening partnerships with local government and community leaders.
Quoting recent assessments, she said key factors driving this alarming situation include poor food consumption, inadequate health services, and persistent food insecurity.
In Zamfara, she noted that the malnutrition rate is compounded by socioeconomic challenges, including high rates of poverty and limited access to healthcare facilities.
She emphasised the urgency of the situation during a press briefing stating that the humanitarian crisis in northwest Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara State, is escalating alarmingly as violence, malnutrition, and disease converge to threaten the lives of millions.
According to Munduate, in northwest and northeast Nigeria, approximately 5.4 million children under five suffer from acute malnutrition, with projections indicating an additional one million cases by April 2025.
She added that Zamfara, home to 1.2 million children, faces alarming statistics with 250,000 children severely malnourished, and 45.2 percent of children aged 0-5 are stunted. She added only 21.5 percent of pregnant women receive adequate antenatal care, and institutional deliveries are at a mere 15 percent. Moreover, 62 percent of children are out of school, and 60 percent of girls face child marriage.
To combat this crisis, she said UNICEF requires over $250 million, with $100 million specifically for Sokoto, Zamfara, and Katsina. Munduate urged governments to enhance healthcare services, nutrition interventions, and educational access to protect vulnerable children and ensure their futures.