EU Allocates £500,000 to Tackle Malnutrition Crisis in North-eastern Nigeria

Strategic Insights -

The European Union (EU) has allocated £500,000, approximately N900 million, to address the growing malnutrition crisis in North-eastern Nigeria. The funding will provide emergency aid to approximately 170,000 households at risk of malnutrition across nine states. This intervention aims to support children and mothers suffering from severe acute malnutrition, with over 30,000 children requiring immediate treatment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU will provide £500,000, approximately N900 million, to tackle the malnutrition crisis in North-eastern Nigeria.
  • The funding will benefit approximately 170,000 households at risk of malnutrition across nine states: Adamawa, Benue, Borno, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
  • Over 30,000 children urgently need treatment for severe acute malnutrition.
  • The programme will include community outreach, screening, and outpatient care using ready-to-use therapeutic food for uncomplicated cases.
  • Complex cases will be referred to healthcare centres for specialised treatment in line with national health protocols.
  • The EU will expand its health and nutrition interventions while contributing to improving the medium-term resilience of affected families.
  • The support will be implemented through the Nigeria Red Cross Society.
  • An estimated 5.44 million children under five are acutely malnourished in the North-east and North-west regions.
  • Of this figure, two million children are projected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition.
  • The nutrition crisis is driven by ongoing conflict, growing insecurity, and economic pressures.
  • Climate-related shocks, suboptimal maternal and child feeding practices, and prolonged displacement are also contributing factors.
  • The Nigerian government has established a ministerial task force to develop a comprehensive action plan targeting child malnutrition.
  • A report by UNICEF shows that Nigeria has the second-highest burden of stunted children in the world.

Statistics:

  • £500,000 (approximately N900 million) allocated by the EU to tackle malnutrition crisis.
  • 170,000 households at risk of malnutrition to benefit from the funding.
  • 30,000 children urgently in need of treatment for severe acute malnutrition.
  • 5.44 million children under five acutely malnourished in the North-east and North-west regions.
  • 2 million children projected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

Sources:

  • European Union
  • Nigeria Red Cross Society
  • International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
  • United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
  • Premium Times