Katsina State on Wednesday received N400 million worth of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) to combat acute children malnutrition in the state.
The provision is expected to benefit no fewer than 7,500 children suffering from severe malnutrition.
This is in addition to another 1,400 nutritional supplements procured for distribution to malnourished children whose case are not yet severe.
During the handover ceremony of the product at the Ministry of Agriculture Warehouse in Katsina, UNICEF Country Representative, Cristian Mundauate disclosed that the RUTF was procured jointly by the state government and UNICEF through the Child Nutrition Match Fund.
Mundauate said: “Today (Wednesday), we are delivering about 7,000 cartons of RUTF purchased by UNICEF and the Katsina State Government. These RUTFs will be used to attend and provide life-saving assistance to almost 8,000 children under five years who suffered severe acute malnutrition. “
She emphasized the life-saving nature of these supplements for children with severe malnutrition.
Governor Dikko Radda, in his address at the ceremony, acknowledged the state’s high rate of child malnutrition.
He expressed gratitude to UNICEF for its support .
He reassured the public of the state government’s commitment to addressing the issue.
The handover ceremony was attended by two UNICEF Campaign Champions i.e. Kannywood/Nollywood actor Ali Nuhu, and Rahama Sadau, among other top UNICEF officials.