The Digest:
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Magnot, has called for immediate action to address the severe malnutrition affecting 2 million children in Nigeria's North-East and North-West regions. With international aid dwindling, the situation has become a national crisis.
Key Points:
- 2 million children in the North-East and North-West are suffering from severe malnutrition.
- The withdrawal of aid, especially from the US, has left a significant gap in providing therapeutic food.
- Climate change, insecurity, and other factors have exacerbated the crisis.
- Local producers can supply some therapeutic food, but imports are still needed, particularly therapeutic milk for babies.
- Therapeutic food is essential to stabilise malnourished children, especially those unable to feed themselves.
- Stabilisation centres are overwhelmed, unable to meet the growing demand.
- Vice President Shettima calls the situation a national crisis, depriving 40% of Nigerian children under five of their potential.
As Nigeria faces a dire malnutrition crisis, the EU has urged additional efforts to ensure the provision of therapeutic food, stressing that urgent action is necessary to prevent further harm to the country’s most vulnerable children.
Sources: Channels Television, UNICEF Nigeria, Daily Post
