10,500 Cartons of RUTF Rushed to 11 LGAs
Stunting at 40.9%, wasting at 11.3% among Kebbi kids
Birnin Kebbi: The Kebbi State Government, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched an emergency nutrition programme aimed at saving the lives of 130,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
The initiative will distribute 10,500 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) across 11 high-burden Local Government Areas.
Speaking at the launch in Birnin Kebbi, Governor Nasir Idris praised UNICEF for its swift response to the humanitarian crisis.
He described the intervention as timely and aligned with his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare, nutrition, education, water, sanitation, and food security.
“This swift action aligns perfectly with our administration’s commitment to enhancing essential human services and improving the well-being of our people,” Idris said, pledging counterpart funding to expand the programme.
The Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Sama’ila Yakubu-Augie, represented by Dr Jibril Labbo-Gwandu, listed the target LGAs, including Augie, Bagudo, Suru, Fakai, Maiyama, Danko/Wasagu, Ngaski, Dandi, Zuru, and Shanga.
UNICEF Social Policy Specialist, Mr Isah Ibrahim, highlighted alarming findings from recent nutrition surveys. The SMART Survey revealed a stunting prevalence of 40.9% and a wasting rate of 11.3% among children in Kebbi. The IPC-AM analysis projected that about 130,000 children under five would suffer from severe acute malnutrition in 2026.
He stressed that UNICEF had already supplied 10,500 cartons of RUTF and trained health workers and community mobilisers to strengthen delivery. Facilitators will be deployed to primary healthcare centres from June 8 to provide mentorship and support.
Ibrahim urged the state government to release counterpart funding under the Child Nutrition Fund, noting that UNICEF would match every dollar invested. He also warned against diversion of therapeutic food:
“Every carton diverted represents a child denied a chance to survive, while every carton delivered to the right beneficiary represents a life saved.”
The Executive Secretary of the Kebbi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Alhaji Abubakar Noma, described the launch as a major step toward tackling malnutrition. He emphasised that scaling up RUTF would significantly improve recovery rates among affected children.
Noma commended Governor Idris, UNICEF, donor agencies, and partners for their support, while urging health workers and community leaders to ensure accountability and encourage caregivers to access services.
“This intervention represents a collective commitment to saving lives, reducing malnutrition, and securing a healthier future for children across Kebbi,” he said.