… partnership to combat severe acute malnutrition in children under five.
In a landmark effort to fight child malnutrition, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Kwara State Government, has commenced the distribution of 3,964 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) across the state. This initiative, funded through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF), aims to tackle the growing burden of severe acute malnutrition among children under five in Kwara.
The first batch, comprising 1,982 cartons of the life-saving food supplement, has been delivered, with a second batch of equal quantity expected soon. The intervention is part of a broader commitment by both partners to improve child health outcomes and reduce mortality related to malnutrition.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, speaking at the official handover ceremony in Ilorin, described the initiative as a powerful symbol of the government’s unwavering commitment to children’s welfare.
“Our contribution to the Child Nutrition Fund is a reaffirmation of our continued dedication to eradicating malnutrition among our children in Kwara State. Our partnership with UNICEF is not just a collaboration but a mission to uphold the fundamental rights of women and children,” the Governor stated.
The CNF operates through a unique matching model where UNICEF matches each dollar contributed by the government on a 1:1 basis. Kwara State contributed $100,000 to the fund, which was matched by UNICEF to procure the RUTF now being distributed to healthcare centres across the state.
Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, lauded the Kwara State Government for prioritizing nutrition and child health, noting that the CNF model has proven effective in maximizing impact.
“The Kwara State Government’s commitment to addressing child malnutrition is commendable. The Child Nutrition Fund enables us to double our efforts and reach more children with the essential nutrition they need. We hope this partnership inspires other states to follow suit,” Munduate said.
She further urged the government to leverage the upcoming Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week in May/June to scale up delivery of integrated health services, including vitamin A supplements, deworming tablets, and multiple micronutrient supplements for pregnant women. She also called for more personnel to support the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) program across all 16 local government areas.
Malnutrition remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria, with thousands of children at risk of severe wasting — a condition marked by extreme thinness that compromises a child’s survival. RUTF, which contains a blend of peanuts, oil, sugar, milk powder, and micronutrients, has been widely proven to effectively treat children with severe acute malnutrition without the need for hospitalization.
Kwara State is among 11 Nigerian states that have committed funds to the CNF, joining the ranks of Jigawa, Katsina, Adamawa, Kano, Ebonyi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Niger, and Plateau. UNICEF continues to advocate for expanded participation and sustained investment from other states to ensure broader access to essential nutrition for vulnerable populations.
