The United Nations Childhood Education Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that around 5.4 million children under five suffer acute malnutrition in the northwest and northeast of Nigeria.
This was revealed on Wednesday afternoon Cristian Munduate, representative of UNICEF, during a press conference held at the Command Guest House residence in Gusau, in the state of Zamfara.
Munduate explained that there is a pressing crisis that affects millions of children in Zamfara and throughout the country.
“Thank you for gathering here today while we approach a pressing crisis that affects millions of children in the state of Zamfara and throughout Nigeria.
“The figures we face are amazing: almost 5.4 million children under five in the northwest and northeast suffer acute malnutrition, and the projections indicate a million additional cases for April 2025.” She mentioned.
According to UNICEF representative, highlighting the situation, he said that 1.2 million children live in Zamfara.
“Of them, 250,000 children suffer severe acute malnutrition (more), that is, 1 in 10 children who stare death. Emaciation affects 1 in 10 children, while growth delay among children from 0 to 5 years reaches an alarming 45.2%.
“The neonatal mortality rate is 42 per 1,000 live births, only 21.5% of pregnant women attended more than 4 prenatal visits and institutional births represent only 15%,” he said.
Munduate also revealed that a surprising figure of 62,000 pregnant women, only 13% of the total, have access to qualified midwives.
“Immunization rates remain critically low, with a 3 penta coverage of only 9.6%.
“More than 700,000 boys (62%) do not go to school and 60% of girls are subjected to child marriage, which perpetuates the poverty cycle.”
As for the birth registry, UNICEF said it is low, only 31.4%, which leaves many invisible and vulnerable children. The general situation of children in Nigeria, Zamfara's crisis is a reflection of a broader national challenge.
He revealed that Nigeria has more than 110 million children, but 40% of children under five suffer growth delay.
“Only 57% of children under 5 are registered, 2.1 million children have never been vaccinated, 1 in 4 children are not schooling and 3 out of 4 lack basic skills,” he said.
UNICEF also revealed that 47% of children live in low -income homes, while 67% experience multidimensional poverty.
“To address these extreme needs in the most vulnerable states of Nigeria, including Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina, we need more than 250 million dollars in funds. Of this, more than 100 million dollars are needed only for Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina to provide vital services in nutrition, health, Wash, child protection and education, ”he said.
In Zamfara, the needs are critical, UNICEF intends to treat 400,000 children under 5 years of age who suffer severe acute malnutrition
“200,000 more children in the northwest will need ready -to -use therapeutic foods (RUTF) in 2025 compared to 2024, more than 300,000 children in Sokoto and Zamfara will need measles vaccines,” he revealed.
He said that two million vulnerable people in Zamfara and Sokoto need access to medical treatment and advice on nutritional diets.
“The situation demands our immediate action, collaboration and commitment. Together we can save lives, restore hope and build a better future for the children of Zamfara and beyond, ”he added.
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