The National Committee on Food and Nutrition in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning has called for the provision of more allocation and adequate release of the funds to tackle malnutrition.
The call was made in Bauchi State by a team on an assessment and advocacy visit to the state’s Food and Nutrition Committee.
Leader of the team, Christy Yunanah, said they came to the state in order to strengthen the activities of the committee.
She said that, Bauchi is having one the worst malnutrition indices adding that malnutrition related morbidity is on the increase in the state.
According to her, a multiple indicator cluster survey by UNICEF in 2018, found that six out of every 10 children under five years are stunted and underweight.
Speaking, the State chairman, Food and Nutrition Committee who is also the Permanent Secretary Budget and Planning Commission Yahuza Adamu, said the main challenge being faced is inadequate funding because the money being released fall short of the amount required to care for malnourished children in the state.
“In 2018, Bauchi State government approved N17 million which was not fully released while the N103 million approved as counterpart fund is yet to be paid into UNICEF account which is affecting its activities.
Adamu said the committee was putting in place a contingency plan in case donors withdraw their support.
“That includes enlightenment campaigns to communities, and through the media on how to prepare nutritional diets with our local food,”he said.
He, therefore, called on the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to support the state with technical skills.
