The Borno State Government has issued a strong warning to parents against the resale of Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) provided by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Health Commissioner Baba Mallam Gana made the appeal during the reception of 2,254 cartons of RUTF in Maiduguri, emphasizing that the food is intended for the health and growth of children and should not be sold.
Gana highlighted the severe malnutrition crisis in the region, with over two million children affected, including 500,000 facing acute malnutrition.The donation was made through the Child Nutrition Fund, aiming to treat children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, with UNICEF’s Joseph Senesie noting that this support gives many children a better chance at survival.Appeal for Sustainable Support**: Senesie urged the Borno State Government to continue supporting malnutrition initiatives by contributing to the 2025 Child Nutrition Fund appeal.
Concerns about the misuse and diversion of RUTF supplies were raised, with reports indicating that some individuals and groups have been involved in the illegal sale or diversion of these critical nutritional products.Call for Community Responsibility**: The government and UNICEF called upon the community to ensure that these life-saving resources reach the intended beneficiaries, reinforcing the dire need for cooperation in addressing malnutrition.
