By DAYO ADESULU
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has highlighted the urgent need for $15 million to enhance the quality of life in Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.
Key Points from UNICEF’s Statement
At a press briefing in Gusau, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Christian Munduate, urged the governors of these states to allocate matching grants to address pressing socioeconomic challenges.
Major Challenges Identified
- Malnutrition:
- Munduate noted a high prevalence of malnourished children and nursing mothers in the states.
- Northern Nigeria has at least 5.5 million severely and acutely malnourished children, according to UNICEF.
- Open Defecation:
- Approximately 40 million Nigerians practice open defecation, leading to disease outbreaks and the potential resurgence of polio in these states.
- Lack of Basic Services:
- Many citizens lack access to quality education, healthcare, and nutrition.
UNICEF’s Support and Recommendations
- UNICEF has already collaborated with the Federal and Zamfara Governments to support 50 functional Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in the region.
- Munduate emphasized the importance of sustainability, urging local governments and stakeholders to maintain the PHCs and address broader challenges.
Call for Partnerships
Munduate called for stronger collaborations among the state governments, stakeholders, and international partners to tackle these pressing issues and improve living conditions.
Conclusion
UNICEF remains committed to providing technical support but stressed that a robust and unified approach is needed to uplift the living standards of the affected populations.
