The United Nations Fund for the Nation (UNICEF) has increased the alarm on the misuse and the diversion of therapeutic foods ready to use (RUTF) and other vital nutritional products in the states of Born, Yobe and Adamawa in the north Deliot of Nigeria.
Unicef's Maiduguri field chief, Mr. Joseph Senissie, revealed this in a one -day interested part commitment in Maiduguri on Tuesday.
Senissie emphasized that negligence is not limited to the three states, but is becoming a national crisis.
“Of our research, it is evident that these critical nutritional products deviate much beyond the planned beneficiaries,” he said.
“What we are witnessing is not just poor management, it is a sabotage against the most vulnerable children of Nigeria.”
Senissie condemned the trend where RUTF, designed to save severely malnourished children, sells or markets in markets or for involuntary populations.
“This detour is equivalent to facilitating the death of children, especially those in areas that fight severe insecurity and displacement,” he added.
“We cannot continue allowing a line of life so that children in crisis become a merchandise for profit,” Senissie warned.
He asked security agencies, mothers, health workers and transport unions to prevent and expose the perpetrators involved in this law.
Senissie warned mothers and health workers who do not sell basic products, reminding them that donors are observing and can withdraw support if abuse continues. He also urged the media to raise awareness and hold the actors.
Senissie appreciated the donor partners for their support in the salvation of the life of malnourished children. “These partners have kept hope for thousands of children. We cannot afford to disappoint them,” he said.
The meeting emphasized the need for stronger responsibility, better surveillance and awareness of the community to ensure that nutritional products reach the most vulnerable children.
Interested parties agree that rapid action is needed to stop diversion and misuse before more lives are lost.
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