The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has lauded the Adamawa Government for relasing 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 in enhancing child nutrition “and to address all forms of malnutrition, particularly wasting, anaemia and stunting.
“Children in Adamawa are experiencing chronic food poverty as exclusive breastfeeding occurs only among 53.3 per cent of newborns.”
She explained that only 11.8 per cent of children between six and 23 months recieve minimum acceptable diet.
“And only 32.8 per cent get minimum dietry diversity and over 50 per cent of women and children are anaemic in the state.”
Irene added that no fewer than 415,625 children under five years suffer Acute Malnutrion and Severe Acute Malnutrition, saying “this is an extremely dangerous condition.
“It is our hope that the new policy will provide overeaching framework, covering multiple dimensions of food and nutrition improvement, with special focus on nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions.”
The UNICEF official advocated strengthening of multi sectorlal 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 nutrution policy is a blue print for action.
Represented by his Deputy, Prof. Kaleptapwa Farauta, the governor added that the policy document has outlined the vision where every citizen would have access to adequate nutritious foods all year round.
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He explained that “the policy has set the stage for a coordinated approach, bringing together efforts from the 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, nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive approaches.
He commended UNICEF and other development partners for efforts toward protecting children, especially their rights to survive, thrive and reach their potential. (NAN)
